The fifth edition of the Job Digital Lab kicks off, with digital security for all at its heart
In a world where technologies are evolving ever more rapidly, revolutionising processes and required skills, the possession of advanced digital skills becomes indispensable, not only to enter the job market, but also to maintain an active role in society.
Nevertheless, the State of the Digital Decade 2024 report still highlights two areas of weakness for our country: only 45.8% of people in Italy possess at least basic digital skills, with gaps in all age groups, a figure that is well below the European average of 55.6%; only 5% of Italian companies use AI, below the EU average (8%).
Moreover, the ISTAT report Noi Italia 2024 shows that in 2023 the participation of adults in training activities - which is fundamental for fostering the employability of individuals and their social and relational life - will affect only 11.6% of the Italian population in the 25-64 age bracket. In short, to sum up, Italy's progress in digital skills remains slow. Although the importance of developing new skills and updating job profiles is recognised as a priority, the number of adults involved in training still remains low.
Added to this is the fact that the exponential increase in the use of always-on electronic devices, resulting from the digital transition, has broadened the base of those who habitually use tablets, mobile phones and PCs for many different needs, resulting in exposure to new threats, such as cybercrime, especially at the enterprise level.
In the first six months of 2024, cyber attacks surveyed by Clusit experts increased by 23 per cent compared to the previous six months. On average, there were 9 major attacks per day worldwide; in Italy, 7.6% of incidents (Clusit Report 2024 on ICT security in Italy).
Not only that. In 2023, according to CERTFin, spoofingscams in Italy grew by 13% compared to 2022, the technique that fraudsters use most in digital banking, which consists in hiding one's identity in order to appear ‘trustworthy’ to the intended victims and obtain access to confidential information and sensitive data.
It is in this scenario that Job Digital Lab, the project realised by ING Italia and Fondazione Mondo Digitale, fits in, dedicating its fifth edition to the theme of all-round security.
This is how the pay-off of the project changes: from training that puts you in the game, to training that makes you safe.
In complex scenarios such as the current ones, in which personal identity is represented in the dual dimension of digital and physical, there is a need for greater awareness of the risks of the Net, while at the same time knowing how to seize the opportunities for a more solid presence in the market with renewed and up-to-date digital skills.
After having trained more than 31,000 people between 2020 and 2024 in more than 170 training sessions, Job Digital Lab renews its mission by proposing a training programme with which to not only get back into the world of work, but also to feel safe in a constantly evolving market.
With the aim of training 8,000 people and reaching 240,000, the 2025 edition of Job Digital Lab introduces a series of new features designed to broaden access to training and encourage a more flexible and targeted approach, with customised and certified courses:
- Digital skills training: online training sessions on digital skills for personal and professional growth, dedicated to workers, entrepreneurs, jobseekers and students
- Pocket training: micro-learning modules accessible anytime and anywhere, even via smartphone, with a system of micro-certifications validated by the University of Roma Tre according to the main European and Italian competence frameworks
- Local training events: to get in touch with the territory and small entrepreneurs in partnership with Chambers of Commerce
- Rome Cup 2025: ING is one of the main sponsors of RomeCup, the three-day event promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and dedicated to robotics and artificial intelligence
- Coding Girls: an educational programme that trains young female students on Stem topics to help them choose their future studies and careers.
In Milan, the first event of the fifth edition at ING Italia headquarters
On 22 January, the fifth edition opens with an event on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
The morning is dedicated to ‘Hunting Fraud. Cyber detective for a day": a challenge in collaboration with Women for Security , a community of female professionals working in the world of cybersecurity in Italy, which transforms 60 high school students from Milan and its province into digital detectives ready to unmask financial fraud.
In the afternoon it is the turn of ‘Practical and safe IA for the growth of your business’, an event in collaboration with the Punto Impresa Digitale of the Milan Chamber of Commerce and Assintel. ING's headquarters will open up to small and medium-sized enterprises for a training session dedicated to the risks and opportunities associated with generative artificial intelligence applied to business processes.
Job Digital Lab training is free and open to all with no access limits
Anyone can participate, because JDL training is designed for a wide and diverse audience: citizens, university and upper secondary school students, women, entrepreneurs and workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, and job seekers.
The role modelling activity by ING employees continues this year, promoted on the basis of people's specific skills, a concrete way of involving the corporate population on the topic of social and environmental responsibility.
