Work experience with FertiGlobal
High school pupils gain work experience with FertiGlobal owner Larderello
Three pupils from a technical high school in Italy’s Tuscany region have benefited from a national work experience scheme supported by Larderello Group, the parent company of Fertiglobal.
Italy’s ‘alternanza scuola-lavoro’, or ASL, is a national initiative that combines classroom education with practical work experience. By no means unique to Italy, the scheme is designed to help young people with the all-important school-to-work transition, alternating a school term with a work term in an attempt to advance education and learning experiences.
Crucially, the scheme relies on establishing good partnerships between an academic institution and an employer. So when the Antonio Santucci Technical Institute in Pomarance, a commune about 60km from Florence, signalled its desire to support the initiative, Larderello Group was only too willing to step in and provide student placements.
“All the students who, over time, have had the opportunity to participate seriously in ASL have returned to school enriched, more motivated in their studies and above all, more aware of their abilities and skills,” says Antonio Quarta, the institute’s vice-principal.
“The scheme provides many opportunities to deal with the national and territorial world of production. Seminars, conferences, laboratory experiences and trade fair visits are made throughout the year,” he adds.
Such activities allow students in class V to overcome the number of hours required by law for admission to the state exam.
This year, three students accepted the offer from Larderello Group, one each spending time with the maintenance department, technical team and R&D group respectively.
“The experience in Larderello began with a training course divided into two parts: company know-how and safety at work,” explains Larderello’s Emilio Spinelli, vice president of operations and plant manager, “before the pupils move into their assigned departments.”
“These programmes create a strong link between school and the world of work,” he says. “They also represent a showcase for the young people who will soon look out into the world of work.”
As for the students, they had nothing but praise for the programme and their experiences. Davide Masuzzo, who worked with the technical office, collaborated with Larderello employees to recreate paper diagrams in digital form, making them easier to use – and demonstrating just how useful his skills would be within the company on starting employment.
Meanwhile Baroni Pietro, who worked alongside the plant maintenance technicians, said he found he was able to ‘put into practice’ what he had learnt at school, collaborating in the refurbishment of pumps and contributing to the verification and calibration of industrial instrumentation.
Perhaps most enlightened by her attendance at Larderello was Sara Dei. Participating in activities within the research and development laboratory, she was sufficiently impressed by her work experience that she has already reconsidered her future work plans.
“These pupils were very happy with their experience,” concludes Emilio. “Schemes like this can truly help to orient young people for their life success. We’re delighted to support this programme and look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Institute Antonio Santucci in future years, and contributing positively to young people’s life experiences.”