A review of the three days in the words of those involved
The three intensive days held on 16, 20 and 21 April at the Rete Hub Palermo premises marked a significant step forward for the PRODIGY (PROmoting Digital and Green Skills for Youth) project. The initiative transformed career guidance into an interactive experience, offering local NEETs the opportunity to overcome the barriers of online forms through company pitches, CV workshops and one-to-one interviews with recruiters and professionals.
In the participants’ own words: ready for the job market
The value of the training programme is clearly evident in the words of the participants, who have developed both technical and soft skills. Alessio, for example, focused his efforts on web design and HTML programming, stating that he feels much more ready to enter the job market than he did at the end of his school studies.
Marco also emphasises how the project has enabled him to gain a unique set of skills: ‘I’ve developed various skills, both in terms of the professional environment and on a personal level, regarding how to present myself to a company. I feel better prepared than other candidates.’ Marco also highlighted the importance of the constant support from coaches and tutors, who were on hand to resolve any doubts along the way. For others, such as Giuseppe, a 20-year-old, interacting with peers was crucial in realising they shared the same anxieties about the future and in transforming these into positive energy.
The companies’ perspective: beyond the CV
From the companies’ perspective, the project has enabled them to identify talent often overlooked by traditional channels. Alex Garraffa, creative director at Kube Advertising, reiterated his interest in local creativity, whilst noting that the main challenge for young people is a lack of motivation or a clear life plan. ‘Human contact and the ability to listen to individuals’ stories are the way to create genuine connections,’ explained Garraffa, confirming his desire to continue the collaboration.
Giuseppe Romeo, Charlid and coordinator at Edgemoney and Productivos, shares this view, seeing PRODIGY as a perfect ‘match’ with the company’s mission to bring employment and skills to Southern Italy. According to Romeo, a candidate today is ready if they demonstrate proactivity, curiosity about new technologies and a desire to learn. To further improve the link between training and employment, he suggests strengthening structured internship schemes that can better match young people’s skills with market demands.
A bridge to the future
The event was a resounding success: young people appreciated the opportunity for direct, unfiltered dialogue, whilst recruiters praised the high level of motivation they encountered. PRODIGY thus continues its goal of engaging 240 young people across Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, aiming to generate at least 120 internship contracts and promote a more equitable and inclusive society through digital and green skills.
