Territorial Hub for Lifelong Learning
Upskilling, Reskilling, and Certification for the Community
The second soul of the TLC-DLMh looks beyond the boundaries of the campus, responding to the growing demand for lifelong learning from professionals, businesses, public institutions, and the wider territorial community. This soul is not ancillary but strategic: it generates economic sustainability and amplifies the university's social impact.
The Context: A Global Necessity, A Local Opportunity
International data are unequivocal:
- 50% of the global workforce will require reskilling by 2027 due to digitalisation and automation (OECD)
- 60% of European employers struggle to find workers with adequate skills (Eurostat Skills Mismatch Survey)
- The global microcredentials market will grow at a CAGR of 23.7% from 2023 to 2030, reaching $12.9 billion (MarketsandMarkets)
In Sicily, these challenges are even more acute: high youth unemployment, a pressing need for digital transition among SMEs, tech skills shortages in advanced manufacturing sectors, and a substantial upskilling requirement within the public administration for the digitalisation of services.
For Businesses and SMEs:
We offer customised corporate programmes co-designed with industrial partners to address specific skills gaps:
- Digital Transformation Skills: Microcredentials covering, for example, Industry 4.0, IoT, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity basics — developed in partnership with industry for advanced manufacturing workforces.
- Professional Services Competencies: For example, Project Management, Agile methodologies, Business Analysis, and Client Relationship Management — developed in partnership with organisations that formally recognise, or are committed to recognising, our certifications.
- Leadership & Management: Pathways for middle managers covering, for example, People Management, Strategic Thinking, Change Management, and Digital Leadership.
- Sector-Specific Upskilling: Vertical programmes for key sectors of the economy — for example, tourism, agri-food, logistics, and healthcare — combining digital competencies with domain-specific knowledge.
Delivery modes:
- Blended learning (online + in-person workshops) to maximise flexibility without sacrificing interaction
- Cohort-based delivery to foster peer learning and networking among participants
- Laboratory-based sessions for hands-on learning with practical activities and instrumentation
- Formal recognition by employers (certificates integrated into HR systems)
For Public Administration:
We collaborate with the Sicilian Regional Government, municipalities, and local authorities on continuous training plans for public sector staff:
- Digital Skills for PA: Based on the DigComp framework for public administrations, covering process digitalisation, document management systems, cybersecurity awareness, e-procurement, and SPID/CIE integration.
- Transversal Competencies: Citizen-facing communication, project management for EU-funded programmes, and data-driven decision-making.
- Compliance & Regulatory Updates: Training on new legislation (GDPR, Digital Administration Code, transparency, anti-corruption) with recognised certifications.
Delivery modes:
- Framework agreements with public bodies
- Preferential pricing compared to corporate rates
- Flexible delivery compatible with public service hours (evenings, weekends, intensive modules)
For Professionals and Self-Employed Workers:
Individuals seeking reskilling for career transitions or upskilling to remain competitive:
- Tech Skills: Coding bootcamps, Cloud Computing (AWS partnership), Data Science fundamentals, AI/ML literacy.
- Creative & Communication: Digital Marketing, Content Creation, UX/UI Design basics, Public Speaking.
- Regulated Professions: Programmes for mandatory continuing education credits (recognised by professional bodies for accountants, engineers, architects, and other regulated professions).
Access Model: Differentiated pricing for external and corporate users:
- External individuals: €800–2,400/ECTS (blended), €1,500–4,000/ECTS (intensive in-person), €2,500–6,000/ECTS (1 to 8 ECTS with Laboratory sessions)
- Corporate B2B: volume discounts of 10–30% for large cohorts
- Public Administration: preferential public-sector pricing