International Mobility and Study Tours

International Mobility

IFOA is a Training and Employment Agency born in 1971 from the Chambers of Trade: a combination that allows us to offer growth paths, training, employment support, mobility programs, as well as study visits and exchange of best practice.

We work both at national and international levels driven by the desire of transferring useful knowledge to people, businesses and territories.

As a non-profit organisation, we develop our activities according to the rules of an ethical code based on individual professional growth.

IFOA activity is characterized by international experiences both at European and International level.

IFOA has been offering since many years new opportunities to open international possibilities for students, trainees, apprentices, entrepreneurs, companies and all people interested in gaining experiences in new contexts throughout Europe and worldwide.

IFOA Mobility projects are focused on learning mobility exchanges and quality workplace trainings.

Professional Internships and Training under EU funded programs (Erasmus+ KA1)

For over 25 years IFOA has built a wide and strong international network and experience in managing EU mobility projects (Lifelong Learning Programme, Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus + KA1 ecc).

Ifoa can be a reliable and experienced Partner for Intermediary Organizations, Universities or Vocational Training Institutions searching for hosting partners in Italy, both for internship for your students and hosting partner for teachers’ training and visits.

Our internships are mainly arranged in SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Entreprises) in the Region Emilia Romagna (mainly in the cities of Reggio Emilia, Parma, Modena, Bologna), worldwide known as Food Valley and Motor Valley.

Our team of experts can offer you:

• Consultancy and guidance for the preparation of the project
• Supporting intermediary organisations or institutes which are new to these kind of projects (support in preparation of useful documentation, selection phase, informative events,..)
• Matching of the selected candidates with suitable companies
• Organisation of individual as well as group mobilities (from short to long term internships)
• Welcoming at arrival and introduction to the hosting company
• Accommodation in self-catering apartment (or hostel with full-board service for short-term experiences)
• Tutoring, support and monitoring from the beginning to the end of the experience both to participants and to sending institutions

Emergency support 24/7

We offer internships in all economic sectors:

• Accountability and administration
• Automotive
• Ceramic Tiles
• Education and childhood support services
• Fashion and design
• Food, Wine and Agro- Industry
• Graphic design
• IT (software and hardware)
• Logistics and transport
• Marketing and PR
• Mechanics and Mechatronics
• Tourism
• Wellness
• …… and many others

Paid and tailored-made internships in Italy for EU and non-EU candidates

This program offered by IFOA is dedicated to graduates who want to improve their skills with highly professional paid internships in Italy.

This is an individual privately-run program, completely tailor-made according to the requests of the candidates and designed to offer a valuable internship experience in an Italian company, mainly in specific chosen sectors and a full-immersion period in the Italian culture.
Starting dates are possible all around the year.

Ideal candidates are EU or non EU citizens, with an age between 18 and 30, a good level of English and a relevant Degree (Bachelor or Master Degree). According to the Italian Internship regulations, these internships (not linked to the University study programs of the candidate) in Italy are compulsorily paid a monthly stipend, therefore only highly motivated and skilled candidates have a chance to be accepted.

A basic/average knowledge of the Italian language is a plus.
Technical profiles have more opportunities to be accepted (e.g. marketing/UX design, engineering, IT/software and hardware, web design, just to mention some).

Unpaid curricular tailor-made internships in Italy for EU and non-EU candidates

This kind of internship is dedicated to EU and non-EU candidates willing to spend their curricular internship, foreseen by their course of studies, in Italy. The program is tailor-made on the students’ needs and is possible to activate it throughout the year (except the months of December and August).
Ifoa will support the whole process: from the first interview, to the matching with a suitable company and the process of recognition of credits. These curricular internships are focused on training and development of professional skills; they do not foreseen a reimbursement fee and are easier to activate.

Study tours in Italy

IFOA promotes tailor-made Study tours in Italy in different economic and industrial sectors, thought for Managers, Entrepreneurs and foreign Companies or Institutions interested in the Italian Excellences.

Our added value is part of our mission: “IFOA is a bridge between people and enterprises”. IFOA is a recognised training institution that supports enterprises and organizations in their internationalisation processes.

Through the Study tours organised by IFOA, in collaboration with our more than 29.000 client enterprises and our national/regional networks, the participants will have the opportunity to understand more deeply the Italian economic and social-cultural background, as well as to develop B2B and foreign trade relations with local private and public actors.

Located in the heart of Emilia Romagna Region, very well known all over the world for the Motor, Food, Wellness and Fashion Valley, IFOA can organize tailor-made study tours based on the clients’ needs, in the most important economic sectors of the Italian Economy, such as:

• Education and Vocational Training
• Mechanics and Mechatronics
• Automotive
• Fashion and design
• Ceramic Tiles
• Food, Wine and Agro- Industry
• Wellness and Tourism
• … and in a lot of others

IFOA Study tours are generally organized as follows:

• Introductory theoretical sessions
• Meetings with representatives of Companies/institutions/Universities/Research centers etc according to the participants’ objectives
• Some sightseeing and leisure time

The Study tours can be funded through Erasmus +funds (KA1 Staff Mobility), Public or Private funds

Case histories

Examples of study tours organised by ifoa over the years

• Management training, study visits, internships workshops and seminars for 90 managers coming from Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Azerbaijan and Belarus in Italian companies coming from different economic sectors. Destination: all over Italy.
• Study visits and internships in European enterprises for 55 Chinese managers. The aim was to meet the demand for EU-China cooperation by improving the management and intercultural exchange capacity of key players in the private and non-profit sectors. Destination: Turin.
• Study Visits for 39 representatives of Turkish Public Institutions (such as Ministry of Education, Universities etc) in Italian Public Authorities and Higher Education Institutions. Destination: Rome, Bologna, Turin.
• Study Visit in Italy for Deans and Lecturers of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. Topic “Contemporary forms of interaction between higher education institutions and the real sector of the economy”. Destination: HE institutions in Rome, Bologna, Modena, Milan, Venice, Como.
• Study Visit in Italy for 12 Russian Lecturers of Medicine University in hospital bodies of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy Regions.

NOTES

We give support for the documentation for obtaining the necessary VISA for non-UE candidates.