The private sector will need an estimated 617,000 foreign workers between 2025 and 2029, according to data published in a report presented by the chambers of commerce association Unioncamere on December 1 in Milan.

Industry will represent 40 percent of the overall demand with some 245,000 units and Lombardy is the region estimated to need over 146,000 workers, or 24 percent of the national total, according to the study on employment needs presented during the event "Internationalization and human capital in Lombardy and its technical-professional supply chain protagonists in the world."

The event was organized by the Lombardy chapter of industrial association Confindustria, under the patronage of the Lombardy Region and in cooperation with local business associations Assolombarda and Confindustria Bergamo.

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'Businesses ready to seize opportunities offered by Mattei Plan'

The meeting focused on the impact that the demographic crisis and the lack of specific expertise will have on society and, in particular, on Lombardy's industrial system, outlining possible solutions in line with the regional development model and within the national and European frameworks, represented by the context of the Mattei Plan for development in African countries.

The meeting shed light on good practices of integration for foreign workers and on the central role of companies and institutions in the creation of training programs and job opportunities.

"The demographic dynamic and lack of know-how risk undermining our competitive model", said the President of Confindustria Lombardia Giuseppe Pasini.

"The key to dealing with this challenge is cooperation between companies, regional institutions, and training agencies like ITS (Higher Technological Institutes) aimed at creating an excellent context in terms of employment, housing, and integration. Moreover, for Confindustria Lombardia, the framework provided by the Mattei Plan and its regional impact, with the construction of bilateral relations with strategic countries and the cooperation with institutions, will represent an opportunity which Lombardy's companies are already ready to seize," he added.

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Joint effort to attract young workers

The President of Confindustria's chapter in the city of Bergamo, Giovanna Ricuperati, stated that "our province is also heavily affected by the perspective of demographic decline, which is endangering the future of our territory and its productive sector, rooted in innovation and integrated in global supply chains, whose competitiveness is closely connected to the technical and professional know-how of individuals".

Ricuperati stressed the commitment "to get in sync with the young generations, contribute to strengthening the training process and help companies become more attractive".

During the round table, Giulia Castoldi, the interim Vice President of Assolombarda, noted that "demographic scenarios, characterised by an aging population and declining birth rate, call for a serious reflection on the labour market and the competitiveness of our territories."

According to Castoldi, "companies are already reporting today an elevated mismatch between the necessary know-how and professional figures."

However, she added, "in perspective, the declining workforce will need new strategies to support economic growth. Attracting young workers, including foreigners, through training and inclusion policies, to fill occupational gaps and favour diversity, thus becomes a priority. As Assolombarda, we are committed to supporting this era of transition."

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