Working in the local area: an ecosystem that innovates, produces and creates opportunities.

The economy of the Metropolitan Area of Bologna is based on outstanding production chains, which are both a competitive advantage and a major driver for attracting new investments. Alongside large international corporations, a network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) forms the backbone of the local economy, playing a decisive role in driving innovation and competitiveness across the territory.

The area showcases the very best of Italian know-how in nine strategic sectors:

• ICT, big data and artificial intelligence
• Advanced mechanics and mechatronics
• Packaging and industrial automation
• Logistics
• Life sciences, biomedical and pharmaceutical
• Chemicals
• Fashion
• High-quality agrifood and PDO products
• Cultural and creative industries

The Metropolitan City of Bologna is one of the most productive areas, with a mix ofmajor supply chains,large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and a strong local artisan tradition. This combination makes the territory dynamic and attractive for employment and new business creation.

To support entrepreneurship, Progetti d'impresa is available — the Metropolitan City of Bologna’s business creation guidance center.

The area also offers numerous collaborative spaces: coworking venues, accelerators, start-up incubators, and fab labs, reflecting the region’s strong spirit of innovation and experimentation.

The labor market has  a high employment absorption capacity, particularly in high value-added sectors. Employment levels are above the national average, with growing demand for qualified and digital skills.

Data on in-demand skills and profiles can be explored via Skills-Intelligence Emilia-Romagna, an advanced data analysis tool based on online job postings. It highlights the competencies and professional figures linked to the areas of specialization of the regional Smart Specialization Strategy: agrifood, construction, energy and sustainability, culture and creativity, health and well-being, service innovation, mechatronics and automotive, and big data.

Many local businesses are actively seeking talent. On the OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TERRITORY page, we have gathered the opportunities offered by companies that have joined Bologna for Talent.

Tools to build your professional future: from guidance to active job search

If you have not yet defined your career path, the territory offers various organizations and services that provide orientation and support, divided into two main categories.

Public entities:

• Employment Centers
• Municipal job orientation centers
• Youth information offices in the various municipalities
• Job Placement Office of the University of Bologna (for enrolled students only)
• Emilia-Romagna Regional Employment Agency

Accredited private entities:

• Training institutions
• Chambers of Commerce
• Trade unions
• Recruitment agencies
• Head-hunting firms

If you have already defined your path and are actively searching for opportunities, in addition to the Regional Employment Agency, there are numerous accredited private entities that support both newcomers to the job market and those seeking new professional challenges. Their activities include: meetings to define growth and independent search paths, guidance in exploring job offers, access to training and educational experiences, issuance of competence certifications, and intermediation services to facilitate matching between people and businesses.

Among the accredited private entities, Bologna for Talent network includes Lavoropiù and Randstad.

If you want to start a new business or have just launched a new enterprise, you can contact Progetti d’impresa, the service of the Metropolitan City and Municipality of Bologna dedicated to business creation. Progetti d’impresa provides free orientation, information, and support for the launch and development of new entrepreneurial initiatives in the Bologna metropolitan area.

Another important tool to support entry into the labor market is internships. In addition to curricular internships, carried out during academic studies, it is also possible to access the job market through extracurricular internships, regulated by the regional legislation. These programs, promoted to foster youth employment, offer the opportunity to develop new skills and gain direct experience of the local labor market.

In Italy, there are various contractual forms governing the relationship between employer and employee, each with its own characteristics, specific elements, and different areas of application. Most employment contracts are regulated by the National Collective Labor Agreements (CCNL), negotiated by trade unions and employers' associations.

Contracts can be divided into three broad categories, which are distinguished by the way in which the worker performs their duties: subordinate, quasi-subordinate, and self-employed.

The subordinate employment contract is characterized by the worker’s subordination, whereby the worker provides their skills by carrying out activities under the authority and directives of the employer, in exchange for remuneration. There are several types of subordinate employment contracts:

• Permanent employment
• Fixed-term employment
• Part-time employment
• Intermittent work(or “on-call work”)
• Temporary agency work
• Apprenticeship

Quasi-subordinate work is an intermediate form between subordinate and self-employed work. It is performed on a continuous and coordinated basis with the client’s organization, but without a true hierarchical dependency. The worker retains a certain degree of autonomy in carrying out their tasks, while still collaborating according to agreed timelines and methods. This type of contract, regulated by specific rules, provides for economic and social security protections that differ from those of subordinate employment. Among the main quasi-subordinate arrangements are:

• Continuous and coordinated collaborations(co.co.co.)
• Occasional services
• Work via digital platforms(for example riders)

Self-employment involves full autonomy: the worker independently organizes their own activity, assuming the risks and responsibilities for the outcome. Services are carried out based on an assignment or contract with the client, but without integration into the client’s organization. Compensation is linked not to the time spent, but to the work or service provided, and the worker manages tax, social security, and organizational aspects of their business independently.

Self-employed workers include entrepreneurs, direct farmers, traders, artisans, and freelance professionals.