Title of the practice |
Addressing demographic change scientifically. |
Precise theme/issue tackled by the practice |
The Abruzzo region is facing a fast demographic change not only to early retirement and the increasing presence of migrants (with all the well known consequences in the job market) but also to the economy crisis causing a serious brain drain and the loss of skilled young workers. Policy makers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders must reorganise the job world immediately for reversing the situation and achieving equal opportunities to all. |
Objectives of the practice |
Convince policy-makers to address the social and economic consequences of the demographic change while it is still possible to find suitable solutions and transform the problem in resource by promoting a higher job quality. |
Location |
Provinces of L’Aquila, Chieti and Pescara, Italy |
Detailed description of the practice |
Within the F4W project carried out by University of L’Aquila and Region Abruzzo, the main regional and local policy-makers were involved directly in the project implementation and had the possibility to discuss on the problem with the employers’ organisations and entrepreneurs. Seminars and workshops were used to disseminate the project aims and results. Workers and staff of small and medium enterprises were the target of specific innovative training modules tailored on precise themes developed with the aim to fight against phenomenon of the anticipated retirement due to physical and psychological reasons. The Module topics were decided starting from the external (employer’s and society’s point of view) and internal (worker’s point of view) considerations about the aging of the worker. From outside the elderly worker is seen in a negative perspective as potentially less productive and more expensive w.r.t. a younger worker even though less expert. The elderly considers himself not suitable for working any more also because the younger colleagues make him feel an obstacle to their career progression, but also an obstacle for entering into the job market of young people. Thus the Module intends to work in two directions: to change the attitude of the work environment and to increase the self esteem of the elderly. |
Evaluation |
The businesses, after the first doubtful and sceptical approach to the project activities, in the end were satisfied of the results and willing to continue in that direction but ask for more involvement of policy-makers and more support from all the stakeholders. The policy-makers for the first time were facing the demographic change as a real and present problem requiring a quick answer to prevent the worsening of the economic crisis. |
Lessons learnt from the practice |
The implementation of the project FIT4WORK proved to all the stakeholders that the constitution of a strong and creative local partnership can face the problems connected with the demographic change with a wide point of view and set up well targeted and tailored solutions. |
Relevant factors/conditions for the transfer of the good practice |
The main factor enabling a successful transfer of the good practice is the strong and trustful cooperation between regional relevant policy makers and university/research institution. |
Implementing organisations |
University of L’Aquila, through its “Dipartimento per l’internazionalizzazione della ricerca” and the Faculties of Medicine, Psychology and Engineering |
Contact information |
FIT 4 WORK Università dell’Aquila – Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali L’Aquila (Italy) tozzi@univaq.it  |
Other possible interesting information |
Training Modules contents Seminars reports |