3.6.6.I-vi.6 Training-cum-work contract (Contratto di formazione lavoro)
3.6.6.1. Aim
The contract is a special form of employment contract enabling young people (aged between 16 and 32) to enter working life and acquire qualifications by means of special courses combining theoretical study and practical experience
3.6.6.2. Legal basis
- Decree-Law 726 of 30.10.1984, converted, in amended form, into Law 863 of 19.12.1984 (Art. 3);
- Law 407 (Art. 8) of 29.12.1990;
- Decree-Law 108 of 29.3.1991, converted into Law 169 of 1.6.1991;
- Law 344 of 15.10.1991;
- Decree-Law 299 of 16.5.1994, converted into Law 451 of 19.7.1994;
- Decree of 5.8.1994 (Changes to the reduction in social security contributions in the Mezzo-giorno regions);
- Decree-Law 494, published in Gazzetta ufficiale of 8.8.1994;
- Decree-Law 572, published in Gazzetta ufficiale of 10.10.1994;
- Decree-Law 674, published in Gazzetta ufficiale of 10.12.1994.
3.6.6.3. Contents
Training-cum-work projects can be registered by a wide variety of providers: firms, corporate groups, cooperatives, public enterprises, professional associations, socio-cultural associations and sport clubs, foundations and employers listed in the professional register (provided that the training-cum-work project has been prepared by occupational association or chambers and approved by the Ministry of Labour).
Young people aged between 16 and 32 can be hired by any of these project providers by name-call on a non-renewable training-cum-work contract.
The duration of a training-cum-work contract may not exceed the following limits:
- 24 months for the medium and highly skilled;
- 12 months for the low-skilled.
A contingent of 5% of workers recruited under such contracts is reserved for Italian emigrants returning to the country.
A similar contingent applies in the case of refugees, who may be employed under training-cum-work contracts irrespective of age for up to 36 months.
The details of the alternating work and training cycles are set out in programmes drawn up by the private and public sector providers themselves and approved by the regional or central employ-ment commission in accordance with the prevailing (regional and national) regulations and the agree-ments reached with the trade unions.
3.6.6.4. Financial resources
The costs of the project are borne by the employing organisations themselves. The projects may, however, receive financial support from the Rotation Fund (Fondo di rotazione) or the European Social Fund.
Employers are entitled to the following reductions in social security contributions:
- Central and northern Italy: 25% of contributions to the social insurance institutions;
- Mezzogiorno and disadvantaged areas of central and northern Italy and craft enterprises: contributions as for apprentices;
- enterprises in the tourism and trade sectors with less than 15 employees: 40% reduction in social security contributions.
3.6.6.5. Institutional support
The training-cum-work projects are submitted by eligible providers to the Regional Employment Commission (of the employment offices) or to the Ministry of Labour (if the projects concern more than one region).
Once approval has been obtained, the employer must obtain agreement from the local employment office in his/her district.
Projects agreed to by employers' and trade union organisations are not subject to this agreement.
3.6.6.6. Duration
- 12 months in the case of contracts aimed at facilitating occupational integration by providing work experience that enables vocational skills to be adapted to the production and organisational environment;
- up to 24 months in the case of contracts the aim of which is the acquisition of medium to high-level vocational skills.
3.6.6.7. Effects
In 1994, 169,255 employees (100,814 men and 68,441 women) were recruited under a training-cum-work contract.
EU – European Commission DG EMPL/A/2 J
II 27,
Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels – Belgium
GHK Consulting Ltd 30 St. Paul's Square, Birmingham. B3 1QZ
E-mail: eeo@ghkint.com
