Higher Education and Employment: The Changing Relationship. Recent Developments in Continuing Professional Education. Country Study: Italy.

Overview & Synopsis

This report, one of a series of country studies on higher education and employment particularly in continuing professional education, looks at recent developments in Italy. Following an introduction which offers basic data on higher education in Italy, Chapter I reviews the current challenges and demands facing the Italian system, in particular in relation to the productivity of higher education and the labor market and the university reform movement. Chapter II looks at the legislative and institutional framework for continuing professional education. Chapter III offers a quantitative analysis of the role of different actors in continuing professional education: universities, and small and large private companies offering their own training programs. Chapter IV analyzes the role of the university in higher continuing professional education beginning with the legislative and institutional framework and including analysis of costs, student characteristics, faculty characteristics, admissions, course methods, and placement. Two examples illustrate continuing education programs: first, the educational activities of the National Research Council and, second, the Bocconi University post graduate program. A final section offers conclusions. Additional data are provided in appended tables and graphs. (JB)