Prodigy in Reggio Calabria: proposals emerge from three round-table discussions to strengthen training, engage businesses and promote local talent
A large turnout of young people, businesses, professionals and third-sector organisations characterised the meeting Innovation, skills and work: new prospects for the region, organised by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale in collaboration with the Forum delle Idee at the Reggio Calabria Chamber of Commerce on 29 October.
The event provided an opportunity for discussion and to present the findings of the European project PRODIGY – PROmoting Digital and Green Skills for Youth, funded under the ESF+ Social Innovation+ programme, which supports young NEETs in developing digital, green and professional skills to facilitate their entry into the labour market. The participation of people with different backgrounds, ages and skills enriched the discussion on changes in the labour market, the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and the conditions necessary to make the most of the region’s resources. Three thematic roundtables provided an opportunity to gather experiences, needs and practical proposals, identifying possible ways forward for the methodologies tested through PRODIGY.
1. Guidance and awareness of change
Facilitators: Davide Latella (Forum delle Idee) and Rossana Melito (FareEco).
The first round-table addressed the role of guidance in a labour market where artificial intelligence and the ecological transition are reshaping professions and the skills required. Alongside digital skills, participants recognised the value of soft skills: critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, problem-solving and collaboration. Particular attention was paid to understanding the limitations of AI tools, the transparency of algorithms and the ethical implications of data use. The PRODIGY initiative provided a number of recommendations for strengthening career guidance pathways: developing opportunities for individual mentoring with professionals and entrepreneurs, systematising the assessment of soft skills, introducing workshops on the use of AI applied to real-world business problems, and integrating modules on critical thinking and data ethics. The aim is to support young people in understanding the changes taking place, helping them to recognise and make the most of their own abilities.
2. Training and skills development
Facilitators: Giuseppe Minniti (Ecolandia Consortium) and Laura Cirella (Macramè Consortium).
The second roundtable explored the relationship between lifelong learning, digital transformation and professional inclusion. The rapid pace of technological change calls for flexible, accessible training programmes capable of responding to the practical needs of individuals and organisations. Artificial intelligence can be used to streamline certain tasks and improve work organisation, enabling people to devote more time to roles that require interpersonal skills, judgement and responsibility. The PRODIGY initiative, with its free and flexible training programme, skills recognition and links to the world of work, provides a foundation for further development. Among the proposals put forward was directly involving businesses and third-sector organisations in training activities, by pairing teachers with professionals capable of bringing real-world cases and operational problems into the classroom. Another suggestion concerned the expansion of practical workshops on generative AI, to experiment with solutions applicable to work processes. Training can thus become an experience increasingly attuned to the needs of the local area and offer young people concrete opportunities to put their acquired skills to the test.
3. Work, opportunities and the region’s future
Facilitators: Aldo Cavallari (Consorzio Idea Agenzia per il Lavoro) and Giuseppina Nuri (Soleinsieme).
The third round-table addressed one of the most significant issues for Calabria’s future: creating the conditions for young people’s skills to be recognised and for them to find professional opportunities within the region, thereby helping to combat the brain drain. The discussion highlighted the role of social and cooperative enterprise and the need to strengthen dialogue between those in training, jobseekers and those who can offer employment opportunities.
Among the proposals was the idea of transforming interactions with the business community into ongoing opportunities for co-designing training programmes, updating them in line with the needs of businesses. The importance of supporting organisations capable of combining technological innovation, inclusive employment and a response to community needs was also emphasised. This approach requires stable relationships between businesses, institutions, employment agencies, social cooperatives and training organisations, to support young people from the acquisition of skills through to their entry into the workforce.
Five directions for taking the work forward
The closing session, featuring contributions from Francesco Biacca (Evermind Società Benefit), Vincenzo Linarello (GOEL – Gruppo Cooperativo) and Antonino Tramontana, President of the Reggio Calabria Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the value of social responsibility, ethics and investment in human capital. Five possible areas of focus emerged from the feedback provided by the three round-table discussions:
- Fostering a culture of artificial intelligence, by promoting opportunities for learning and discussion that are accessible even to those without technical skills.
- Strengthening practical training, through workshops, simulations and activities developed in collaboration with local businesses and organisations.
- Bringing training and work closer together, by encouraging mentoring, direct engagement with the world of work and the application of skills to real-world problems.
- Consolidating local networks, so that the collaborations established can continue and generate new professional opportunities.
- Putting people at the centre, by valuing skills, responsibility and relationships in the use of technology and the organisation of work.
Ensuring continuity in relationships
The most significant contribution of the round-table discussions was the opportunity to bring together experiences and perspectives that rarely have structured opportunities for dialogue. Young people, entrepreneurs, professionals and representatives of the third sector shared their needs, challenges and possible solutions, helping to identify new directions for the region’s development.
The insights gathered represent a valuable resource for PRODIGY’s upcoming activities and for any future initiatives. In particular, the proposal to strengthen workplace mentoring, training based on real-life cases and co-design with businesses can help to make the link between acquired skills and employment opportunities more effective. The challenge is to transform the dialogue that has begun into lasting collaborations, in which people can actively participate in innovation processes and contribute to the economic and social development of their own community.
