The exceptional complexity and depth of the crisis in the real economy that has affected the Italian entrepreneurial fabric prompted Confindustria and Federmanager to make a strong and targeted investment in the development of Human Capital at the highest level (Directors and Executives) within their organizations to respond promptly and effectively to the problems that Italian SMEs are facing.

The project involves all the territorial components of the System and, thanks to the relationships that the System maintains with local and national institutional stakeholders, social partners, and business stakeholders, it provides an opportunity to circulate existing best practices and experiment with innovative tools for more competitive management by Italian companies, especially in the areas of innovation, internationalization, work organization, and business.

The program consists of three "educational containers":

1. Study trips (learning tours) Learning tours allow participants to engage with significant innovative contexts, countries that have undergone or are undergoing strong processes of territorial and identity construction/reconstruction. Through these trips, it will be possible not only to encounter multiple examples of successful innovation but also to explore contexts and approaches that emphasize the rigor of organizational aspects required in innovation processes. Each trip includes a panel of visits with representatives from local institutions, significant local businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises excelling in innovation and growth, universities, and business investors/incubators.

   • Learning tour in ISRAEL (January 5-10, 2010)
   • Learning tour in SERBIA (Belgrade - Novi Sad, July 15-18, 2010)

2. Managerial seminars Four two-day managerial seminars are dedicated to the main topics of interest in the economic and social sphere that animate the debate within the country:

   • Italy and Europe between crisis and prospects for recovery
   • Out of the recession, but still facing the consequences of the crisis, what has been done and what remains to be done
   • The future of representation in Italy; for a new era of responsibility.
   • Specialized course on industrial relations, the labor market, and the economy of labor This course is designed to provide participants with the technical and economic tools necessary to represent interests in today's business environment, characterized by companies and workers operating in highly competitive global markets and requiring a modern and flexible industrial relations system.