Integration. Working in Italy. The Centro per l’Impiego (job centre)

Integration in Italy for Ukrainians

Integration in Italy is a multidimensional process that requires active participation at the individual, community and institutional levels. For Ukrainians living in Italy, integration involves many important aspects, such as access to employment, education and health care, as well as learning Italian and adapting to cultural norms.

Key aspects of integration

• Italian language courses: in Italy, many state schools, cultural centres and community organisations offer Italian language courses. These courses help improve communication skills and make it easier to access work and social services.
• Cultural orientation: educational programmes and information events that introduce Italian culture, laws and social norms make it easier for newcomers to settle in.
• Cultural mediation (Mediatore Culturale): cultural mediators are professionals who help overcome language and cultural barriers, ensuring effective communication between foreign nationals and public institutions.

Access to the labour market

• Job centre (CPI): in Italy, the Centro per l’Impiego (CPI, public job centre) offers job-search advice, vocational training courses and traineeships. These services are useful for anyone who wants to find work, retrain or improve their skills.
• Employment integration programmes: there are programmes that support the integration of migrants and refugees into work, including grants for hiring or for traineeships.
• Programmes for employers: the Italian state offers tax incentives to companies that hire foreign nationals, with the aim of supporting their integration into the labour market.

Access to essential services

• Health care: Ukrainians, even without a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno), are entitled to access essential health care. The local health authorities (ASL) work with charitable organisations to ensure access to medical care.
• Education for children: children who have come from Ukraine are entitled to compulsory education. Schools offer Italian language courses to help them settle into school life.
• Housing: housing problems are one of the biggest obstacles to integration. Many associations work with local authorities to provide temporary or permanent housing solutions for refugees and migrants.

Social and civic integration

• Cultural and sports events: shared cultural and sporting events bring Italians and foreigners together, improving mutual understanding and social ties.
• Volunteering and active participation: many Ukrainians in Italy are actively involved in voluntary organisations, which helps them integrate into society.
• Psychological and legal support: some organisations provide psychological and legal support, especially for people who have lived through traumatic events.

Integration challenges for Ukrainians in Italy

Integration is not always easy. The main difficulties are language barriers, prejudice among local people, and problems finding work caused by bureaucratic obstacles and an unstable labour market. However, taking part in social initiatives, support from local organisations and cooperation with Italians help build a more inclusive and tolerant society.

Employment for Ukrainians in Italy

Foreign nationals, including Ukrainians, can work in Italy, but this depends on their legal status. These are the main types of work:

• Employment (Lavoro Subordinato): foreign nationals can work under permanent or fixed-term employment contracts. Demand is highest in agriculture, construction, catering, home care and health care.
• Seasonal work (Lavoro Stagionale): foreign nationals often do seasonal work in agriculture and tourism. Seasonal workers receive temporary work permits within the quotas set by the government.
• Self-employment (Lavoro Autonomo): anyone who wants to start their own business or work freelance can register as self-employed in Italy. Certain financial and professional requirements apply.
• Research and innovation (Ricerca e Innovazione): Italy actively attracts qualified specialists in scientific and technological fields.

Support from the job centres (CPI) for Ukrainians

Job centres in Italy (CPI) provide advice, information about jobs, retraining courses and traineeships. Private agencies also help Ukrainians find work. In addition, the EURES portal supports job searches at European level.

Protecting the rights of foreign workers

Ukrainians, like other foreign nationals, are entitled to equal protection in Italy, including minimum pay, social security and working conditions. All workers have the right to join a trade union to protect their rights.

CENTRO PER L’IMPIEGO

In Italy, the Centro per l’Impiego (CPI) is a public office that provides services to match labour supply and demand, supporting both jobseekers and companies looking for staff. The CPI also plays an important role in integrating foreign nationals into the Italian labour market.

Here is an overview of the main services provided by the job centre (CPI), particularly with regard to employment integration:

1. Registration and the declaration of immediate availability (DID)

For jobseekers, the first step is to register with the CPI and submit the Dichiarazione di Immediata Disponibilità (DID, declaration of immediate availability for work). This document confirms that the candidate wants to work and is available to do so, and it is required to access certain unemployment benefits, such as NASpI (unemployment benefit).

2. Career guidance

The CPI offers career guidance services to help people identify their strengths and the skills they need to develop. This includes guidance interviews (colloquio) that help people find ways to adapt to the Italian labour market. The service is especially useful for foreign nationals, recent graduates and people returning to the labour market after a break.

3. Integration services for foreign nationals

The CPI offers special programmes for foreign nationals that help them improve their Italian, understand Italian law and develop the skills needed to find work in the local market. These may be courses, training sessions or other activities aimed at the social and professional integration of migrants.

4. Training and retraining

The centre organises funded or free courses for jobseekers. These courses cover various sectors and help develop the skills the labour market needs, benefiting Italian citizens and foreign nationals alike.

5. Traineeships

The CPI helps arrange traineeships and training contracts, which give people the chance to gain practical experience in a specific profession. This is especially useful for young people, those entering the labour market for the first time and foreign nationals adapting to a new cultural and professional environment.

6. State incentives for employers

Companies that hire certain categories of workers, for example young people or foreign nationals, can receive incentives from the state. The CPI informs employers about these opportunities, helping to create new jobs.

7. Service agreement

After registering, the applicant signs a service agreement (Patto di Servizio) with the CPI. This document sets out a personalised plan for finding work or returning to work, helping the applicant find a job.

How can you access the services of the job centre (CPI)?

CPI services are usually free of charge and available by appointment. You can go to your nearest office or visit your region’s website for information and online booking. In many regions, the CPIs work with local authorities, associations and cooperatives to provide additional support, especially for foreign nationals.

Documents required to register with the CPI

In addition to the DID, foreign nationals may need further documents, such as:

• A valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
• Tax code (codice fiscale)
• Proof of knowledge of Italian (if required)
• Diploma with Dichiarazione di Valore (declaration of value of the qualification)

Summary

Working in Italy as a foreign national can have its difficulties, including discrimination and bureaucratic obstacles. However, Italy actively supports foreign nationals through various integration programmes that help them settle into the labour market and into society as a whole. Governments and organisations continue to work to promote equal opportunities for all categories of workers.