Skills Ready for Takeoff: Lifelong Learning in the Aerospace & Defense Supply Chain

At the heart of Beyond Exploration, this panel workshop explores how the Emilia-Romagna Region is strengthening the aerospace and defense ecosystem through its ESF+ 2021-2027 programmes for continuing and lifelong learning. Designed to support strategic industrial value chains, these initiatives help equip both individuals and organisations with the skills needed to navigate some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from digital transformation and critical technologies to sustainability and international expansion. The discussion brings together three leading regional training providers with a corporate testimonial: Centoform, ENAIP Reggio Emilia, Fondazione Aldini Valeriani, and Geo4. This marks the transition from a logic of separate initiatives to a true lifelong learning infrastructure across the supply chain, in line with the “network academies” model and the Clust-ER Mech and Clust-ER Innovate projects promoted by regional calls for proposals. Panelists from Centoform, ENAIP, FAV and Geo4 will present the results achieved so far, the lessons learned, and their vision for this next phase of collaboration. They will be joined by learners and professionals who took part in previous training programmes and who will share first-hand insights into how these experiences have supported their career development, strengthened their skills, and generated value within their organisations. The workshop will be a moment of open discussion to transform lifelong learning into the driving force that unites people, businesses, and the local community throughout the aerospace supply chain.

Programme

Moderator
Luca Arcangeli, Manager, Clust-ER Innovate
Sara Olivieri, Manager, Clust-ER Mech

Speakers
Chiara Pancaldi, Managing Director, Centoform Alessandro Sacchi, Managing Director, Enaip Foundation
Emanuela Pezzi, Managing Director, Aldini Valeriani Foundation
Andrea Lombardelli, CEO, Geo4