by InTrieste
A two-year program developed with Fincantieri will prepare students for careers in robotics, automation and digital shipbuilding, with classes beginning in October.
UDINE, Italy — Applications are now open for a new higher technical education program designed to prepare the workforce behind the next generation of intelligent ships, as Friuli Venezia Giulia continues to invest in advanced manufacturing and naval innovation.
The course, Mechatronics & Robotics – Smart Ship, is offered by ITS Academy Udine in partnership with Fincantieri and will begin in October 2026. Admission is through a selection process scheduled for Sept. 17.
The two-year program comprises 2,000 hours of instruction and practical training, with classes held between the Fincantieri Learning Center in Monfalcone and the ITS Academy campus in Udine.
The curriculum combines mechatronics, robotics, automation and digital technologies applied to modern shipbuilding. Students will study onboard control systems, electromechanical robotics and Industry 4.0 technologies, including the Internet of Things, digital twins, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
The program is intended to train technicians capable of overseeing the integration of complex technological systems aboard smart ships, including preparation for roles such as Ship Superintendent, a position increasingly sought within the naval construction industry.
Regional officials said the initiative responds to growing demand from employers for highly specialized technical professionals while strengthening the link between education and industry.
The partnership between ITS Academy Udine and Fincantieri has already produced measurable employment outcomes in recent years, including 32 internships, eight advanced apprenticeship contracts and 19 permanent hires across several ITS programs, according to the regional government.
Beyond classroom instruction, Fincantieri will contribute through factory visits, specialist lectures, project-based learning and safety training, giving students direct experience inside one of Italy’s largest shipbuilding operations.
ITS Academy Udine said the new course is part of its broader strategy to align technical education with the evolving needs of the region’s industrial economy.
Applications, admission requirements and deadlines are available through the ITS Academy Udine website.
