This story began in 1971, and is renewed year after year, its roots lying deep in the spirit of enterprise and innovation that is so strong in this area.

It is a story which began with training and with the businesses of Reggio Emilia and Emilia-Romagna, and has moved forward successfully alongside that of many other Italian regions.

Our shareholders are the Chambers of Commerce of Emilia-Romagna – principally that of Reggio Emilia –, the regional and national Unioncamere (the Italian association of Chambers of Commerce) and other important local Organisations and Foundations.

The Italian Ministries of Labour, Economy and Economic Development are members of the IFOA institutional bodies.  And it is through this body of shareholders that IFOA pursues its mission: to develop projects of excellence and provide quality services in the field of Training and Employment.

It is written alongside our logo: sapere utile = useful knowledge.

IFOA focuses its training on the ability to transfer skills and competencies which can be immediately applied in the job market. Our training in fact focuses primarily on know-how.

Know-how which comes from a constant, intense relationship with businesses. IFOA in fact takes great inspiration from businesses, those who work in the field, and its consultants and experts to define its training packages, identify its teaching staff and run its rich faculty.

This is why IFOA is a by-word for useful training. Useful for those who are already in the job market; useful for young people, who are trained from the start to work with innovative technologies and processes.