by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia is stepping up efforts to recruit bus drivers and maintenance workers for its public transport system, announcing 76 open positions at a recruiting day scheduled for March 31 in Udine.
The event, to be held at Palazzo Antonini Belgrado, brings together three local transit operators — Arriva Udine, Atapand Trieste Trasporti — in an effort to address staffing shortages that have affected public transportation across Italy and much of Europe in recent years.
Applications are open through March 24, 2026.
“This recruiting day makes 76 positions in local public transport available,” said Alessia Rosolen, the region’s councillor for labor, training and family policies, speaking on Monday at the regional headquarters in Udine. She described the initiative as part of a longer-term strategy developed with the civil motorization authority to stabilize employment in the sector.
The positions include route drivers holding a Category D license and the Certificate of Professional Competence (known in Italy as the CQC), as well as maintenance staff with mechanical, mechatronic or electronic expertise.
Rosolen said the region has concentrated hiring incentives on permanent contracts for young people and women, aiming to strengthen job stability and improve overall working conditions. Since 2025, regional incentives for new hires have been reserved exclusively for open-ended contracts in those categories, with additional support earmarked for workers coming from companies in crisis.
The initiative comes as the labor market continues to adjust to the aftershocks of the pandemic. Rosolen described Covid-19 as “a watershed moment” that altered life and career choices for many, contributing to what became known as the “great resignation.” In 2025, she said, that trend has slowed, with companies showing greater willingness to offer long-term contracts.
A central component of the region’s strategy involves covering the cost of obtaining the CQC qualification required for professional drivers — an expense that in other parts of Italy often falls on workers or employers. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, public funds support access to the profession, an approach the councillor said has been updated over time through consultation with industry stakeholders.
The region has also invested in apprenticeship programs from the outset of training, particularly for technical and maintenance roles, to encourage long-term retention. Additional measures under the so-called “Talents Law” provide financial incentives to individuals who accept permanent contracts within a 50-kilometer radius, provided the job aligns with their qualifications, including those earned through vocational and higher technical education programs.
Like many European regions, Friuli Venezia Giulia faces demographic challenges and a shortage of trained personnel. In that context, Rosolen said, recruiting days serve not only as hiring events but also as opportunities for dialogue between institutions and employers — conversations that have shaped regional labor and welfare policies over time.
Further information about the March 31 recruiting day is available through the regional government’s website.
