School-to-work transition programmes (PCTO)

Banca d'Italia offers School-to-work transition programmes (PCTO, formerly known as School-Work Alternation or ASL) to students in the final three years of upper secondary school.

Click on the image to browse the PCTO brochure (only in Italian).

What are PCTOs?

School-work alternation (ASL) is an innovative educational approach now embedded in the education system. It aims to combine classroom-based learning with practical work experience.

In Italy, ASL has been mandatory since 2015 for all students in the final three years of secondary school. In 2019, ASL was partially reformed and renamed as PCTO, reflecting a focus on developing students' transferable skills (soft skills) and enhancing their ability to navigate an evolving job market.

PCTO at the Banca d'Italia

Since 2016, Banca d'Italia has been offering School-Work Alternation Programmes. About 230 PCTOs are offered annually, involving more than 2,500 students nationwide.

Other unique features of Banca d'Italia PCTOs include a hands-on approach to work experience, creation of a final product, broad territorial coverage, all types of upper secondary school involved, and strong emphasis on inclusion.

For questions or clarifications, please email: Alternanza_Scuola_Lavoro@bancaditalia.it