Building leaders and innovators for a digital age

For more than two decades, ABB Italy has helped develop future leaders and innovators by providing students with technical, digital and entrepreneurial skills.

	+20 years providing digital, technical and entrepreneurial skills in Italy	Around 200 students and recent graduates have carried out internships at ABB in Italy	In 2023 alone, ABB Italy reached around 20,000 students in Italy through specific projects on education and collaborations	Over the past six years more than 1000 students from high schools across Italy have taken part in the Robocup competition

ABB4Education - equipping students with skills for the future

The basis of this approach is the "ABB4Education" initiative, under which ABB has collaborated with Italy’s education sector to equip students with skills and knowledge beyond those learned in a conventional classroom environment.

ABB4Education aims to help young generations prepare for the so-called "twin transition": the rapid advances in digitalization and the challenge of climate change. It does so by building collaboration between students and the business sector, to enrich their capabilities and skills, increasing their potential to grasp future opportunities.

The first pillar of ABB4Education focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills through a partnership with Junior Achievement, the global non-profit organization that promotes economic-entrepreneurial education in schools.

Learning from "Dream Coaches"

Under this partnership, ABB volunteers mentor students in line with the European Commission’s aim of promoting entrepreneurial education. These "ABB dream coaches" share their expertise and work with students on real entrepreneurial projects, enforcing skills such as collaborating in a team, problem solving, managing a project, building a business plan and integrating financial analysis.

Based on this program, classes form “mini-startups” and compete in a championship, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit. Students are also encouraged to compete for the ABB Impresa 5.0 Award, which rewards digital entrepreneurial skills.

Digitalization x Sustainability

The second pillar is the "Digital&Green" workshop project, designed to encourage secondary school students towards sustainability and STEM-related careers. By using ABB role models to talk about how their jobs contribute to sustainability, students gain understanding of how technology and electrification are changing lifestyles. Digital&Green aims to reach 10,000 students across Italy.

Students enjoying a Digital&Green workshop

Technological and Digital Skills

The third strand is dedicated to technological and digital skills, with a special focus on robotics learning and participation in the RoboCUP challenge. Over the past six years more than 1000 students from high schools across Italy have taken part in the competition.

Younger schoolkids are not forgotten: the "Sustainable Future Project", is aimed at secondary school students, while "Greener in Motion with kids", is designed to raise awareness in elementary school children of technology and sustainability through interactive games and quizzes.

Offering young people tools and stimuli that can accompany them in their professional and personal growth is a way for us to instill confidence in the future and in their ability to face the challenges that await them. Entrepreneurship and innovative spirit, optimism, skills, attention to the individual and sustainability are the values on which we work.
_{Eliana Baruffi, country communications head for Italy and sponsor of ABB4Education}

Education as a foundation of sustainability

As a whole, these projects align with ABB’s Sustainability Agenda, which includes education as a priority area of community engagement, particularly regarding STEM subjects. In 2023 alone, ABB Italy reached around 20,000 students in Italy through specific projects on education and collaborations with various partners.

Our strategy focuses on orientation, sustainability and the importance of STEM subjects in all those disciplines that will increasingly contribute to the quality of our daily lives. Our corporate volunteers work with every age group to bring our messages to the classroom.
_{Alessandro Pueroni, Lead Motion Manager ABB Italy and Southern Europe}

ABB’s commitment to education

ABB has a rich tradition of supporting youth education globally. We have established partnerships with hundreds of universities and schools around the world to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. In recent years, an average of 200 students and recent graduates have carried out internships at ABB in Italy and a significant number each year join the company.

We are also proud to be recognized for our actions with the recent award in the Responsibility and Culture category at the Assolombarda Awards. This award celebrates companies that have distinguished themselves for their commitment to education, with a focus on gender equality and training for the younger generation.

For more on how ABB is working with partners and communities to support the innovators of tomorrow, visit our Community engagement – Promoting social progress page on global.abb