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Work-Related Learning and Orientation Pathways: The Value of Shared Expertise

From classrooms to transmission sites — Rai Way’s commitment to bringing young people closer to technical professions


Rome, 20 June 2025 – The "PCTO" Project — Work-Related Learning and Orientation Pathways — was born from a concrete need: to bring the new generations closer to the world of work and to connect the Company with the young professionals of tomorrow, starting from what we know best — our own hands-on experience. In collaboration with the Elis Consortium, Rai Way has designed a training pathway for upper secondary school students, involving its professionals as lecturers of theory, practice and field experience. These are Rai Way technical experts who, for several weeks, dedicate their time and expertise to support young people in their career orientation, fostering a meaningful dialogue between education and industry.

During 2025, the programme involved 118 students from 8 schools across Italy, structured around 20 hours of teaching per class group. Far from being a simple school-work programme, according to the original name of said projects, this is a structured and mindful educational journey designed to transfer technical knowledge, business culture and practical tools to help students navigate the professional world.


In Scampia: A Lesson in Mutual Growth – Technical Skills, Motivation, and Dialogue

Among the project’s key milestones was the experience at ITI Galileo Ferraris in Scampia (Naples), a new addition to the 2024/25 edition. The collaboration confirmed the value of the partnership between schools and businesses. The initiative, strongly desired to give a further signal of wide-ranging presence and inclusion on the national territory, immediately revealed an unexpected energy. Scampia — too often depicted through stereotypes and contextual bias — showed a different reality: a high-quality school, motivated students and an engaged, forward-looking educational community.

The project was carried out with the fourth-year telecommunications class, coordinated by Professor Pirozzi, and included both theoretical lessons and field activities.

The Master of the Trade assigned to ITI Galileo Ferraris, Marco Tabacchiera, Technical Specialist in OSS & Plants Management at Rai Way, conducted five sessions, sparking students’ curiosity by linking school subjects to the practical operation of Rai Way’s network. Topics ranged from OSS systems and National Control Centres to radio link transmission, network infrastructure, security, and data centre architecture. The students also attended a session led by an HR colleague, who explained the recruitment process — from CV writing to interview techniques — with a focus on the importance of soft skills. The students’ response was enthusiastic: interest, participation, and a strong desire to learn.

Thanks to the collaboration of the Campania Regional Department, the class was able to visit Rai Way’s Monte Faito transmission site, observing live the DVB-T, DVB-T2 and AM/FM broadcast systems, along with key aspects of safety, service continuity and equipment maintenance. This hands-on experience allowed students to see in practice what they had studied in class. Their engagement — both in the classroom and on site — was tangible and sincere.

As the project team observed, “the gap between expectations and reality quickly disappeared. Where we thought we would need to tread carefully, we found warmth, competence and respect. We didn’t just bring work into the classroom — we shared it. And from that exchange, we received more than we gave.” As Master of the Trade Marco Tabacchiera put it: “In a neighbourhood too often reduced to clichés, we found a vibrant, well-organised school and a generation ready to take on new challenges.”


Beyond the Project: Nurturing Skills

The initiative officially concluded on 20 May with a final event held at ITI Galileo Ferraris in Naples, connected via live stream to all participating schools. As every year, the most outstanding students will continue their learning journey through Elis Summer Camps, where they will develop project work on Rai Way–proposed topics, and Summer Jobs, short operational internships across Italy under the supervision of our technicians and their Masters of the Trade.

The Rai Way team leading the initiative includes Matilde Di Mario, Head of Recruiting & Learning, who has carefully managed the project and relations with the Elis Consortium, ensuring coherence and continuity over nine years, with the invaluable support of Sara Barbano and Marzia Bianchini. Alongside them, the Masters of the Trade — Alessandro Orfino, Sabrina Burlandi, Marco Tabacchiera, Antonino Scarpati, Stefano Tancioni, Luca Bortolin, Massimo Conci, Michelino Gigliotti, and Diego Verthuy — have shared their technical expertise and enthusiasm, becoming true mentors for students, both in the classroom and during practical activities, and guiding them towards their future paths.

The PCTO Project — Work-Related Learning and Orientation Pathways — is an initiative consolidated over the years and has become a cornerstone of Rai Way’s long-standing commitment to technical education, helping to build an educational ecosystem that connects territories, schools and professionals. Its goal is to foster a generation aware of its potential and equipped with the tools to navigate the future with confidence.

Training, orientation, and relationships: these are the elements that make the PCTO Project a long-term initiative, where knowledge transfer meets strategic vision — because preparing for the future also means gaining the tools to help shape it, always driven by teamwork.





Author

Matilde Di MarioResponsabile Recruiting & Learning