The Social and Labour Inclusion of Refugees in the Construction Sector initiative was launched in 2022 by the Directorate-General for Immigration and Integration Policies under the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. It aims to integrate 3,000 refugees and vulnerable migrants into Italy’s construction sector through structured training programmes and direct employment opportunities. The programme was designed to fill labour shortages in the construction industry, particularly in northern and central Italy, while ensuring refugees gain stable employment. Key objectives include certifying refugee workers in construction skills, ensuring long-term job placement, and preventing labour exploitation.
The programme integrates refugees into the workforce through a two-step process: training and employment. Participants first complete 100 to 200 hours of vocational training, including occupational safety courses, technical construction skills (bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, and electrical work), and Italian labour law education. The courses are tailored to the specific needs of construction companies in cities like Milan, Bologna, and Rome, where demand for skilled workers is high.
After completing training, refugees transition into paid internships or direct employment contracts with registered construction firms, many of which are facing acute labour shortages. The programme also includes mentorships with experienced industry professionals, allowing refugees to adapt to Italian workplace culture and gain job-specific guidance. Trade unions, such as FILLEA CGIL (Italy’s construction workers' union), play a key role in monitoring employment conditions, ensuring fair wages, and preventing exploitation.
The programme operates in partnership with regional governments, trade unions, vocational training institutes, and private construction firms. It is primarily implemented in industrial and urban regions like Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany, where there is both a large refugee population and a strong demand for skilled labour. The programme actively engages local construction companies, labour unions, and municipal employment offices to ensure that refugees are trained in job-relevant skills and placed in companies actively hiring workers.
Additionally, local Chambers of Commerce and municipal employment agencies collaborate with the programme to organise job fairs and facilitate networking events between refugee job seekers and potential employers. In some cases, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as ARCI and Caritas provide additional housing and legal assistance to ensure successful resettlement.
The initiative provides comprehensive support to refugee workers, including:
The programme also works with construction sector associations such as ANCE (Associazione Nazionale Costruttori Edili) to ensure that training standards align with industry-specific demands.
Yes, the initiative incorporates highly targeted upskilling workshops in vocational training centres across Italy, including in Milan, Bologna, and Turin. These workshops cover:
this initiative is state-funded through the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, with additional financial backing from:
The Social and Labour Inclusion of Refugees in the Construction Sector has effectively integrated 3,000 refugees into Italy’s workforce by providing structured training, paid internships, and long-term job placements. Many participants have moved from internships (3-6 months) to permanent contracts in regions with high labour demand, such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany.
A key factor in the policy’s success is its collaboration between government agencies, trade unions (FILLEA CGIL, CISL, UIL), and private construction firms, ensuring that refugees receive fair wages, workplace protections, and industry-certified skills. By addressing both refugee unemployment and skilled labour shortages, the policy benefits both workers and employers.
With funding from the Italian Ministry of Labour and EU migration funds, the initiative provides ongoing support for refugee integration, creating a sustainable model that could be expanded to other industries like manufacturing and logistics.