The value of know-how
The role and importance of technical education – even in the digital age
Business and manufacturing. In other words, technique and manual skills. Genuine hands-on know-how. This is an important topic, even in the age of digitisation. Or rather, especially in the digital age. And especially in Italy, which remains Europe’s second largest manufacturer after Germany. In Italy, however, the kind of technical professions needed by industrial companies if they are to continue to grow and guarantee our well-being are in short supply. This has been the case for some time and has become increasingly serious. And it is the theme of a book entitled Ricostruire l’istruzione tecnica (Rebuilding Technical Education) by Valerio Ricciardelli (an expert in electronics and a graduate in electronical engineering whose long business experience has earned him the Maestro del Lavoro title).
Ricciardelli’s message to his readers is simple: new high-quality technical education is urgently needed. This, in turn, can be a strategic lever for sustainable economic growth and stable employment, as well as a tool for balancing and making use of economic emigration. The author addresses the topic by taking the reader through the interconnected path of the “three E’s”: Economy, to understand the impacts on the economy; Employability, to reflect on the employability of technical trades; and Education, meaning the technical education that is needed. The stages on this path are a focus on the topic of technical education itself, an analysis of the situation in Italy, an identification of the starting points for “reviewing technical education” based on what others do, on what is needed in terms of teachers and programmes and on relations with companies.
In his conclusions, Ricciardelli lists some key words that encapsulate what is needed – words that, to a greater degree, also summarise the goal for technical education: passion and vocation, knowledge and experience, vision and an ability to deliver; they are joined by interconnection, the ability to make use of a surplus, sharing and reconfiguration. There is also a useful glossary at the end of the book.
Ricostruire l’istruzione tecnica. Ultima chiamata per rimanere la seconda manifattura in Europa, salvare la nostra economia e preservare il nostro welfare (Rebuilding Technical Education. Italy’s Last Chance to Remain as the Second Manufacturing Power in Europe, save its Economy and Preserve Welfare).
Valerio Ricciardelli
Guerini Next, 2024
The role and importance of technical education – even in the digital age
Business and manufacturing. In other words, technique and manual skills. Genuine hands-on know-how. This is an important topic, even in the age of digitisation. Or rather, especially in the digital age. And especially in Italy, which remains Europe’s second largest manufacturer after Germany. In Italy, however, the kind of technical professions needed by industrial companies if they are to continue to grow and guarantee our well-being are in short supply. This has been the case for some time and has become increasingly serious. And it is the theme of a book entitled Ricostruire l’istruzione tecnica (Rebuilding Technical Education) by Valerio Ricciardelli (an expert in electronics and a graduate in electronical engineering whose long business experience has earned him the Maestro del Lavoro title).
Ricciardelli’s message to his readers is simple: new high-quality technical education is urgently needed. This, in turn, can be a strategic lever for sustainable economic growth and stable employment, as well as a tool for balancing and making use of economic emigration. The author addresses the topic by taking the reader through the interconnected path of the “three E’s”: Economy, to understand the impacts on the economy; Employability, to reflect on the employability of technical trades; and Education, meaning the technical education that is needed. The stages on this path are a focus on the topic of technical education itself, an analysis of the situation in Italy, an identification of the starting points for “reviewing technical education” based on what others do, on what is needed in terms of teachers and programmes and on relations with companies.
In his conclusions, Ricciardelli lists some key words that encapsulate what is needed – words that, to a greater degree, also summarise the goal for technical education: passion and vocation, knowledge and experience, vision and an ability to deliver; they are joined by interconnection, the ability to make use of a surplus, sharing and reconfiguration. There is also a useful glossary at the end of the book.
Ricostruire l’istruzione tecnica. Ultima chiamata per rimanere la seconda manifattura in Europa, salvare la nostra economia e preservare il nostro welfare (Rebuilding Technical Education. Italy’s Last Chance to Remain as the Second Manufacturing Power in Europe, save its Economy and Preserve Welfare).
Valerio Ricciardelli
Guerini Next, 2024