The building, which for decades has been a landmark for the Salesian oratory and for numerous formation and socio-educational activities aimed at young people in L’Aquila, is now coming back to life after the serious damage it suffered as a result of the 2009 earthquake. The resumption of work represents a symbolic and concrete step in the reconstruction of the city, not only from an infrastructural point of view, but also from an educational and community point of view.

The project aims to create a Vocational Training Centre capable of combining Salesian educational tradition with innovative formation, offering young people courses geared towards the acquisition of professional skills that are immediately applicable in the job market and meet the needs of the local production system.

Institutional support

The restart of the construction site is the result of a joint effort between civil institutions, educational organisations and the local community. Heartfelt thanks went to the Mayor of L’Aquila, Pierluigi Biondi, who supported the restoration of this educational facility, recognising its strategic value for the social and economic development of the city.

Similar thanks were extended to the Abruzzo Region, in particular to the Councillor for Vocational Formation Roberto Santangelo and the Councillor for Active Labour Policies Tiziana Magnacca, for the institutional attention and support given to the project, which is considered a significant intervention in the field of youth formation and employment policies.

Although they were unable to be present at the start of the construction site, the contribution of the regional and municipal institutions was a decisive factor in the realisation of the initiative.

The role of the Salesian Province

Fundamental to the resumption of the project was the support of the Salesian Central Italy Circumscription (ICC), in the person of its Superior, Fr Roberto Colameo, who strongly believed in the reactivation of the project as a strategic opportunity for the educational and pastoral development of Salesian formation in the L’Aquila area. The decision to relaunch the Salesian educational presence is in line with the educational charism of St John Bosco, based on accompanying young people through paths that combine human growth, formation and job placement. Also present at the opening of the construction site was Fr Cesare Orfini, Director of the Salesian house in L’Aquila.

The training offer and educational mission

The new Vocational Training Centre will launch two three-year courses of Vocational Education and Formation (IeFP):

• Electrical operator
• Motor vehicle repair operator

The courses will be geared towards enhancing the technical and professional skills of young people, promoting the meeting between formation and businesses and helping to reduce the gap between labour supply and demand. Salesian vocational formation is proposed as an integral educational environment, in which technical learning, personal support and social responsibility contribute to personal growth and the development of active citizenship.

The CNOS-FAP Abruzzo network and regional commitment

The project is part of the Salesian formation network of CNOS-FAP Abruzzo, already present in the region at its Vasto site, where training courses are offered in the fields of industrial mechanics and electrical engineering, in collaboration with the local manufacturing industry.

The President of CNOS-FAP Abruzzo, Maurizio Lollobrigida, said: ‘We firmly believe in this project and in the ability of vocational education and formation to provide concrete support to families, students and businesses’.

The start of construction and key players in the restart

The official start of the works will be attended by students, teachers and representatives of the educational community, together with the Mayor of L’Aquila, Pierluigi Biondi, the President of CNOS-FAP Abruzzo, Maurizio Lollobrigida, and the Costruzioni Iannini srl construction company represented by Davide Iannini, national vice-president of the National Association of Building Contractors (ANCE) with responsibility for Formation and Education. Collaboration with the business world is a central element of the project, which aims to strengthen the link between vocational formation and economic development in the area.

An investment in the future of young people and the city

The construction of the new Salesian Vocational Training Centre represents an investment in the future of L’Aquila, providing a permanent educational facility capable of promoting social inclusion, career guidance and employment growth. The restart of the construction site marks not only the return of a historic building to the community, but also the beginning of a journey aimed at the younger generation, based on education, work and the development of young people’s talents. Rebuilding means creating lasting opportunities: places where young people can train, discover their abilities and contribute to the development of society.