Fondazione Ikaros

IKAROS is a certified VET Provider with its nucleus dating back to 1972. It is a Polytechnic Institute, operating in the fields of IVET, Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Job Services in its three seats in the provinces of Bergamo and Milan. Its institute offers five-year courses divided into four areas: technological area, agro-food area, wellness area and the administrative area. IKAROS hosts over 1500 initial vocational training students (secondary education) and 200 higher education students now. It trains over 2000 adults per year, has accompanied more than 1200 people in the labour market and supported over 400 children and adults with disadvantages.

IKAROS is accredited within the regional system of Initial Vocational Education and Training (IVET) which represents an educational offer that allows the completion of compulsory schooling. The training courses have a variable duration of three, four or five years. It received an Excellence Label from Lombardy Region for being active in the provision of a wide range of training initiatives, some of these targeted at specific groups such as early school leavers, NEETs or other disadvantaged groups. It developed an expertise in teaching and learning with ICT, as well as in formal/informal skills development and competences certification through ECVET, being involved in several European projects concerning these issues.

Apart from compulsory education, the paths provide vocational skills marketable in the labour market thanks to the high percent of hours of work experience and Laboratory activities integrated into every curriculum. After the 3-year qualification students can continue with the 4th and the 5th year, especially in regions where it is required to obtain the vocational skill or to be reintegrated in school to graduate. After their graduation the students can choose to enter the labour market or to continue their path within a University or another HEI, such as the Superior Technical Institute (it. Istituto Tecnico Superiore).

IKAROS offers courses recognized in Italy that include traineeships for Hairdressers, Administratives, Beauticians, Cooks, Bakers and Pastry chefs, Secretaries, IT Technicians, Graphic designers, Carpenters, Electricians, Mechanics, Electronic technicians, Logistics, Marketing operators, Surveyors and Accountants. It also organizes courses for adults in Marketing, Sales and communication, Organization and processes, Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Logistics, Quality and Safety, Information and Communication Technology, Languages, Health and Social services, Continuing Medical education.
Since 2011 all Ikaros students and teachers have been using iPad during the in-class and laboratory activities.

Ikaros always pays greatest attention to the labour market and employment possibilities for young people at the end of their training path. From there onwards, the development of an increasingly structured service for insertion of young learners looking for jobs up to the consolidation of a practice and an innovative methodology based on the ability to understand needs and provide a tailor-made solution optimal for the unemployed and for the company. That is how Ikaros' branch Fondazione Et Labora was born, as an employment agency with a strong internal expertise aiming at promoting "good" employment, favoring the innate need for self-fulfillment of each individual and supporting each person in the discovery of her/his abilities.

It's main activities are Career guidance, Counseling services and skills assessment. In addition to formal contexts, Et Labora provides the opportunity for the students to participate in informal events, such as «World Caffe's» or sundowners in which - aside from the convivial exchange of experiences - one can also encounter an entrepreneur and/or a worker who tells his own success story and the students have the opportunity to draw on his experience. The main objective of ET Labora is to create new job opportunities by reconciling personal aspirations of learners with business needs.

In its work Ikaros has established a network of professionals with business experience and a partnerships with Enterprises, Institutions, Professional Associations, Universities and Research institutions. It collaborates with more than 2200 partner companies and more than 88% of graduates find employment in the first six months after graduation. It has a high-profile staff with experience in the direction, coordination, organization, and implementation of projects and in the administrative area. It has obtained a relevant experience in education and training, tutoring, teaching, in the management of group and personal dynamics with adolescents and in the supporting of the disabled. It has also developed an important expertise in the field of formal and informal skills and competences certifications through ECVET system and other types of certification.