Maire leads the way in training specialists in the energy

A major new training initiative has officially launched to tackle skills gaps in the sustainability sector, bridging the divide between education and industrial demand. Spearheaded by Maire, the newly established Green Innovation ITS Academy opened its operational headquarters in Rome. The launch event introduced the flagship program designed to prepare specialized technicians for the rapidly evolving decarbonization and circular economy sectors.

The operational hub is situated within the Salesian Institute Teresa Gerini Torlonia on via Tiburtina in Rome, placed deliberately near the Nextchem industrial research centre. According to reporting from Redazionenews, the inauguration took place in the presence of Lazio Region President Francesco Rocca and various other local authorities. The newly minted academy addresses an acute shortage of specialized technical roles in the market, a deficiency identified during internal corporate evaluations of the workforce.

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Internal corporate evaluations revealed that the organization expanded from fewer than 1,600 employees decades ago to thousands of professionals today, operating across multiple nationalities and countries. This rapid growth exposed a market shortage of specific technical roles. To combat this, according to Fabrizio Di Amato, chairman and shareholder of Maire and president of the Green Innovation ITS Academy, the group undertook a strategic skills analysis to support its ten-year business plan. Speaking at the presentation, Di Amato emphasized the necessity of the project, stating:

"La transizione energetica è un percorso irreversibile e il suo successo dipende dalla capacità di formare le persone che dovranno guidarla"

Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman of Maire and President of the Green Innovation ITS Academy, via Affaritaliani and Redazionenews

Di Amato further noted the involvement of local institutions, adding that the academy aims to integrate with the new technological high school framework launched by the government to construct a complete educational pathway.

The academic structure combines rigorous theoretical instruction with hands-on industrial immersion. As detailed in the reporting by Affaritaliani, the curriculum spans a two-year period and is entirely free of charge. Students will navigate a comprehensive schedule featuring classroom modules, laboratory work, and extensive practical training stages designed to foster direct contact with partner enterprises across the regional production chain.

Beyond technical competencies, the educational framework integrates a strong emphasis on soft skills and a creative laboratory inspired by the arts, following the philosophy of the humanist engineer. This approach seeks to intertwine scientific disciplines with cultural understanding. Furthermore, the project carries a deliberate social mission aimed at supporting vulnerable youths and addressing the NEET phenomenon by creating tangible pathways to employment.

The academy's establishment relies on a robust coalition of public and private stakeholders. The collaborative network comprises corporate partners, secondary educational institutes, and research entities.

• Industrial Partners: Maire, Acea, Q8 Italia (Kuwait Petroleum Italia), and Orange Branded.
• Secondary Schools: I.I.S. “Piazza della Resistenza, 1” in Monterotondo and I.I.S. “Via di Saponara 150” in Rome (including IPS Giulio Verne and ITE AFM Ferdinando Magellano).
• Academic & Research Bodies: Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma.
• Professional Training Organisations: Unindustria Perform S.r.l. And Associazione CNOS-FAP Lazio Salesiani.

Looking ahead, expansion plans are already underway. Di Amato noted that while the foundation begins its journey in Lazio, future aspirations involve replicating the training hub model in northern regions like Lombardy and southern locations such as Catania in Sicily, where engineering facilities have recently been established. Additional international dimensions are also anticipated through agreements with social and educational organizations focused on immigrant integration and sustainability awareness.

An Open Day geared toward students and families is scheduled for the afternoon following the launch, featuring presentations on laboratory modules and a special guest appearance by Stefano Gandelli from GEOPOP. The primary "Energy Transition Specialist" course officially commences in November, setting the stage for its first cohort to earn a nationally and European-recognized diploma within the technological sector of energy and circular economy sustainability.