Ten young artisans, ten workshops of excellence, ten opportunities for personal and professional growth: on 24 September 2012, the training programmes financed by the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art and the “Manlio e Letizia Gilmozzi Onlus” Foundation began. This project is the result of both Foundations’ commitment to promote high-level training in the artistic crafts as well as to provide young people occupational opportunities in the working world.

Within the programme, young artisans selected by a special commission are given the opportunity to carry out a paid post-graduate apprenticeship in workshops and ateliers that are recognised for their exceptional level in various sectors. The workshops, which are selected in collaboration with the schools, not only provide highly specialised training, but they also offer students concrete work opportunities after their apprenticeships.

The apprenticeship programmes are made possible thanks to the collaboration with AFOL Milano, the agency of the Province of Milan dedicated to Training, Counselling and Work. In 2012, the project “A shool, a job. Training to excellence” has enabled 10 young artisans to start their training in workshops that range from violin-making to cabinetmaking, goldsmithing, silversmithing, prototyping, textile dyes and hair & make-up. The workshops are located in the provinces of Milan, Lecco, Como, Cremona, Rome and Florence.