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The study is part of the joint IRPET-Tuscany Region activities for the year 2025, commissioned by the ESF+ Managing Authority (Activity 5). The research was conducted by Silvia Duranti and Natalia Faraoni, under the coordination of Patrizia Lattarulo, head of IRPET\u2019s Public Economics Research Area. The company Rete Sviluppo organized and conducted the focus groups at the ITS institutions.<\/em> The study consists of an analysis of the relationship between ITS Academy (hereinafter \u201cITS\u201d) and businesses, from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Specifically, the study is based on an analysis of data provided by Indire and on the conduct of ten focus groups involving the ITS foundations and key stakeholders. This integrated approach has made it possible to highlight certain aspects of the relationship between the productive system and the ITS network in Tuscany.<\/p>\n\n The Foundations describe a situation in which companies are showing a continuous and growing demand for qualified technical professionals, driven by the introduction of new technologies, the evolution of industries, or simply an increase in hiring volumes. Companies are seeking professionals with applied skills that require a very specific training program\u2014ideally one that is jointly designed, as is typical of ITS institutions.<\/p>\n\n The close ties between the ITS Foundations and the industrial sector represent a structural\u2014rather than an occasional\u2014relationship, although this takes different forms depending on the supply chains involved. In many sectors\u2014particularly those characterized by major industrial players, multinational corporations, and highly internationalized companies\u2014the Foundations can count on large partners that are integrated into global networks and capable of offering qualified professional opportunities and consistent investment in training. In other supply chains, however\u2014especially those composed mainly of micro and small businesses\u2014collaboration takes different forms, based on broader and more widespread networks of smaller companies that nonetheless ensure strong local roots and widespread participation in training programs.<\/p>\n\n