Italy: digital tools strengthening guidance and lifelong learning

21 JUL 2026 News { “service”: “sbkm”, “version”: “2.0”, “display”: “icons”, “networks”: [ “facebook”, “x”, “linkedin”, “email” ], “selection”: false, “shortenurl”: false, “color”: false } Italy: digital tools strengthening guidance and lifelong learning In 2026, Italy further strengthened its digital ecosystem for career guidance, lifelong learning and labour-market inclusion. It did so through AppLI (Personal Assistant for Work in Italy - Assistente Personale per il Lavoro in Italia) and EDO (Digital Education for Employment - Educazione Digitale per l’Occupazione), two digital tools promoted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies within the Information System for Social and Labour Inclusion (SIISL). These initiatives provide personalised access to employment services and skills-development opportunities through digital solutions. Personalised guidance and skills development AppLI is a public platform based on generative artificial intelligence. It supports active labour-market policies and was developed in accordance with the principles of transparency, security and personal-data protection, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and European principles for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in public services. Through a conversational interface, it provides personalised information and advice on: • career pathways, skills requirements and learning opportunities; • job vacancies and services available within the SIISL ecosystem; • CV preparation and job applications; • planning and managing individual learning and career pathways. During its first year of operation, between September 2025 and May 2026, AppLI reached more than 45 000 users and made available more than 150 000 job opportunities and more than 25 000 learning opportunities. Users rated the service 7.2 out of 10 on average, while 91% reported that they intended to continue using the platform. In 2026, the platform was shortlisted for the European Digital Skills Awards in the ‘Inclusion in the Digital World’ category and was recognised among the winners of the Italian ‘PA e Futuro’ public administration award. EDO is a complementary tool that supports the development of digital and professional skills within active labour-market programmes. Through digital learning resources and interactive tools, EDO supports users in their learning, guidance and professional-development pathways and strengthens access to training and upskilling opportunities. Supporting vocational education and lifelong learning AppLI and EDO support access to vocational education and training (VET) and continuous skills development and contribute to European priorities on upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning. Both initiatives promote a personalised approach to career guidance and learning throughout working life and make employment and training services more accessible, particularly for individuals facing complex education and labour-market transitions. Integration with public employment services AppLI is integrated into SIISL, the national digital platform developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, in cooperation with the National Institute for Social Security (INPS), regional authorities and the network of public employment services, to foster labour-market matching and facilitate access to employment and training services. This integration connects career guidance, vocational training and active labour-market policies within a single digital environment and strengthens coordination between information tools, support services and learning opportunities. Read more AppLI – Ministry of Labour and Social Policies AppLI – Vocational education and training EDO factsheet – Ministry of Labour and Social Policies EDO brochure AppLI: the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies’ web coach AppLI institutional communication campaign – Presidency of the Council of Ministers AppLI shortlisted for the European Digital Skills Awards 2026 – Ministry of Labour and Social Policies AppLI and SIO among the winners of the PA e Futuro award – Ministry of Labour and Social Policies Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Italy, & Cedefop (2026, July 21). Italy: digital tools strengthening guidance and lifelong learning. National news on VET. News type National news Source ReferNet Italy Related Country Italy Themes and subthemes VET support policies - financing, guidance, validation Delivering VET and qualifications VET policies and systems Related Project Modernising vocational education and training VET systems in Europe Related Network ReferNet Related online tool Timeline of VET policies in Europe VET in Europe database Keywords Digitalisation Guidance and counselling Information and communication technology