The technology training centers were created with the principal objective of positioning Italy within those countries in economic ascension. They not only illustrate Italy as a dependable provider of machinery, but as well as a qualified intermediator in training and project development on specification.
Italian capital goods represent the best of what's "Made in Italy" to the world market.
Advanced technologies, innovative solutions, flexibility and creativity are the pillars of strength that characterize what Italy has to offer.
Among the most technologically advanced countries, Italy distinguishes itself by the quality of its machinery and its capacity to adjust to the needs of local markets. Italy offers technology that provides a personalized level of functionality along with a predisposition by its machinery to meet any specific requirement sought by customers. This level of capability affirms Italy as the ideal technologically centered partner throughout the world, both in developed as well as emerging markets.
Being established in countries which have a strong potential for growth is a necessity for Italian companies to be guaranteed a future. For them, the challenges faced can be lessened by the quality of the vast breadth of services offered by the Italian Trade Commission. For its services, which are based on quality, professionalism and foresight, are indispensible - allowing them to stay cutting-edge.
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To position Italian companies in the face of stronger competition, the Italian Trade Commission and FEDERMACCHINE have developed a winning strategy, supporting the excellence of our capital goods industries with an essential tool: the creation of Technology Training Centers.
Having our machinery in emerging markets is one thing, but having skilled workers to operate them is another. Therefore, the Technology Training Centers were developed to teach local technicians how to use the machinery while creating a familiarity with our technology. This level of familiarity is essential in developing a level of trustworthiness between our manufacturers and local clients. It is an extra value not typically found in the marketplace by other countries.
Technology Training Centers: Accelerators for Global Growth
Since 2003, the Italian Trade Commission has adopted a systematic approach to these types of initiatives through the creation of these centers. Thanks to special funding by the Ministry of Economic Development within the “Made in Italy” project since 2008, these programs have been even more enhanced. Centers have been established in Turkey, Brazil, China, Malaysia Bangladesh, Russia, Syria, Jordan and Mexico. Italian machinery manufactures involved within the centers’ programs have been primarily in woodworking, plastic, tannery, textile and machine tools.
Today the centers number over 15, hosting the latest in e-learning tools, dedicated software and machinery simulator programs.
The centers have experienced much success and are collecting high profile interest in their activities. Our local partners within the respective markets have witnessed it as being an extraordinary opportunity for their local companies. Their constituents have appreciated the knowledge and know-how they obtain by using the latest in technology, which in turn assists in the development of their local economies. In fact, in building these centers, local labor have been employed providing extra benefits to their local economies in the process.
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The Technology Training Centers
A Project that Looks to A Future Through Collaboration.
The Technology Training Centers have truly become reference points, which affirm the innovation and solutions offered through utilizing Italian technology. The technology training centers were created with the principal objective of positioning Italy within those countries in economic ascension. They not only illustrate Italy as a dependable provider of machinery, but as well as a qualified intermediator in training and project development on specification.
The Technology Training Centers consent to starting a collaborative dialogue that goes beyond just the selling of machinery by a few companies.
In fact, they make it easier for transfer of know-how relative to the machinery and production processes offered by Italian companies, favoring their professionalism, covering not only requests for machinery in the medium to long term, but creating profitable bases for the trustworthiness offered by technology “Made in Italy” for even areas other than machinery. Establishing a technical training center in a foreign country provides a focal point for synergy between public entities, related Italian machinery manufacturers’ associations, institutions and local companies. These centers provide opportunities for recent graduates to be trained in their industry.
The methodology utilized foresees a precise division of the roles and responsibilities carried out at the centers. The Italian Trade Commission through the support of the Ministry for Economic Development co-finances the purchasing and or the logistics in use of machinery offered by Italian manufacturers that have decided to take part by investing in this initiative.
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The local office of the Italian Trade Commission has its role to negotiate at best with the local authorities every aspect of the agreement. Considering the enormous potentials offered by a project of this nature, it is evident how it provides both employment and general well being within the local market. The Italian Trade Commission also has a role in the administration and procedures carried out at the centers.
Collaboration with the Italian machinery manufacturers’ associations has been fundamental in the success of the project. Identify foreign partners, defining the technologies and machinery best adapted for usage at the centers, mediations with their member companies, technical assistance, along with their overall involvement in the construction of the facilities have been the aspects most prevalent in their role within the center. Through their technical support comes technical training seminars that maintain the overall activities conducted at the centers.
Italian companies provide machinery at a reasonable cost, while fully supporting local technicians during the installation and testing process with their own experts from Italy. They often host training sessions for both machine operators and local end user technicians at their head offices in Italy. Furthermore Italian technology providers maintain constant relationships with the various centers, provide additional training, assistance and consulting services on specific manufacturing issues.
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Local Partners
The local partners - primarily technical schools, colleges and faculties - contribute by making didactic spaces and structures available. They provide classrooms, power outlets and all the supplementary equipment that is necessary to the functioning of the machinery. They are also responsible for the organization of the courses, including the didactic materials, the curricula and the registrations. The courses are generally meant for both full time and part time students as well ask for technicians and operators in the specific industries.
Preparing the instructors is a fundamental step in ensuring the technology training centers’ success and courses have been specifically designed with them in mind. Upon completion, they will allow these technicians to train students and other fellow technicians on the use of cutting edge Italian technologies. Technical seminars and events have also been designed to provide a complete experience in understanding the advantages of applying said technologies. The experience acquired in recent years allow us to state the following:- The establishment of a Technology Training Center is the starting point of a long-standing collaboration between Italian entities and local partners;
- The first steps in said collaboration begin with assisting the local partner to identify and define those needs the center should address and support; basic training in the operation of the machinery; specialization in at least one of the promising markets;
- The principal objective remains to develop a major project that will endure over time while having it be responsive to the ever-changing developmental needs and growth of the country in question: only with this focus can elements for a meaningful collaborative relationship with Italy be both long-term and profitable for all involved.
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An Example of Italian Excellence in Calcutta - Technology Training Center – Tanning Industry
During the February 2007 visit of the then Italian Prime Minister, Hon. Romano Prodi, an agreement was signed between the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), ASSOMAC (the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leathergoods and Tanning Machinery), the Government Of West Bengal, CLE (the Council for Leather Exports) the CLC Tanner’s Association (the Indian tanning sector association).
On the basis of this agreement - thank to the funding for the Made in Italy India project, made available by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development – an Italian Trade Commission (ICE) Technology Training Center was created in collaboration with, and within India’s Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology - GCLELT. The Center offers innovative programs aimed at training technicians for the country’s growing tanning industry. These programs meet the highest international, qualitative standards and are carried out utilizing sophisticated Italian-made machinery and laboratory equipment used by local tanneries for chemophysical analysis.
These laboratory services allow for the testing of extremely advanced tanning machinery and processes from Italy, such as: chemophysical analysis of pelts, quality control, along with waste water treatment and analysis. In this regard, specific professional courses have been developed in order to train individuals to enter such professions as in chemical processing treatment of leather, management engineering, laboratory analysis, and environmental protection. The courses are held in both India and Italy and include both theory and practical experience opportunities.
Structurally within the center, laboratories are fully equipped carrying out any test for meeting internationals compliance and certification standards as required for the exportation of semi finished (wet-blue hides) as well as finished products (hides and pelts ready for processing). So stringent are these courses; they can sustain an international accreditation audit and are used for conducting those tests on the hides’ physical and chemical properties. They are also capable of monitoring the quality of the solid and liquid wastes to demonstrate their compliance with local regulations (COD,BOD, etc). All these services are delivered at the same qualitative standards which would be found at an advance laboratory in Europe.
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Project Timeline
August 2008 - December 2010
In 2009 the project entered its initial phase of operations, commencing with training courses organized in collaboration with the International Polytechnic Institute for the Industrial and Economic Development – PISIE. These courses were concluded in December 2010. During 2010, the analysis laboratory was completed with the installation of Italian machinery and equipment.
Currently the laboratories are located in designated spaces within the GCLELT facilities. Future plans call for the laboratories to be transferred to a newly dedicated 2,500 sq. meter facility funded by the Government of West Bengal.
Promotional and Support Initiatives
On February 5th 2009, in Kolkata, the project was officially presented during a tanning industry seminar organized by the Italian Trade Commission. Attendance was made up of local industry leaders and specialized media. Several Italian companies were also in attendance as part of B2B meetings organized by the Italian Trade Commission’s local office.
In 2010 a market research project on the tanning industry was conducted. The report along with relevant information on the center, focusing on both current industrial and economic realities within Italy and India were disseminated to India’s leading associations affiliated to the sector.
On January 29th 2011, the formal inauguration ceremony of the Kolkata Center was organized by local partners and hosted at the Indian Government’s College of Engineering and Leather Technology - GCELT.
In closing 2012 activities will further enhance and expand existing centers throughout the world.
