The Schifani government strengthens the higher technological education system and invests over 3.4 million euros of regional funds to innovate training paths and promote, in the 2025-2026 training year, the internationalization of the skills of students who attend the ITS Academy on the island.
The decree: scholarships, internships and reimbursements
With a decree of the regional department of Education, University and the right to study, the co-financing of the entire training offer of the Its Academies operating in Sicily was arranged, allocating regional resources to scholarships, internships and internships in companies and, for the first time, to the reimbursement of expenses incurred for training experiences abroad, both in Europe and outside Europe, in the context of collaborative relationships with international training entities and production entities.
Turano outlines the objectives
«With this initiative we allocate regional resources to strengthen the training offer of the Its Academy which, with notice 28 of 2025, was entirely financed with ESF+ 2021-2027 funds – states the regional councilor for education and professional training Mimmo Turano -. The objective of the Schifani government is to strengthen high technological training courses, support the internationalization of skills, the acquisition of qualifying experiences and the expansion of professional opportunities for young Sicilians. Promoting international student mobility means offering concrete opportunities for personal and professional growth: an experience abroad broadens horizons, encourages comparison, allows you to get to know different cultures and contexts. It is a precious piece of the individual training path that deserves to be encouraged and supported also for the positive effects on the Sicilian production system. In this direction, the Region intervenes to guarantee equal opportunities also in access to training experiences that include international mobility”.
How much are the contributions?
For experiences abroad there is a maximum contribution of 2,000 euros for European Union countries, 2,500 euros for other European countries and 3,000 euros for non-European countries, with a minimum duration of two weeks.
The provision also guarantees the recognition of expenses for teachers and accompanying tutors and for those accompanying students with certified disabilities, ensuring inclusion and equal access opportunities, confirming the attention that the Sicilian Region pays towards the tertiary system of higher technological education, enhancing the international profile of the training offer and offering young Sicilians new opportunities for personal and professional growth in an increasingly competitive and global context.