Lyon-Turin Construction Sites Drive Employment and Training in Piedmont
The Lyon-Turin railway project is not only a major engineering feat but also a significant catalyst for employment and professional training in Piedmont. A new system, developed by the Piedmont Region, Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro, and TELT, is now operational to support and accompany economic development and employment in the Susa Valley. This initiative falls under the “Pact for the Territory Turin-Lyon line. A network for the Susa Valley.”
The program was officially presented on January 30, 2026, at the “Mario Virano” Visitor Center of the Chiomonte construction site. The presentation was led by Elena Chiorino, Vice-President and Delegate for Labor of the Piedmont Region, alongside Maurizio Bufalini, General Director of TELT, Erminia Garofalo, Director of Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro, and Lorenzo Painati, representative of Accademia Costruzioni. Also in attendance were Wanda Ferro, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Interior, and Andrea Delmastro, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, as well as representatives from the IPIVAS and UXT business groups and local mayors.
Two Interconnected Axes: Recruitment and Training
The core of the program revolves around two interconnected axes: recruitment and training. Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro has conducted an in-depth analysis of professional needs to anticipate skill gaps and provide targeted training interventions. This strategic approach aims to ensure that the workforce is adequately prepared for the demands of the construction sites.
Recruitment Initiatives
Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro has developed a strategic detection model to identify professional profiles aligned with recruitment needs, particularly focusing on those most difficult to find in the labor market. The free services offered by this Piedmont Region body include:
- Search and pre-selection of personnel, even in large numbers.
- Advice on exemptions and hiring incentives.
- Guidance for individuals to strengthen their skills through precise connection with the training system.
It is estimated that the Lyon-Turin construction sites will progressively require approximately 1,000 workers in various roles. About 60% of these positions will be for labor employed in mechanized excavation and internal logistics (miners, tunnel boring machine operators, electricians, etc.). Another 20% will cover external logistics profiles (truck drivers, excavator operators, supply agents, etc.), while the remaining 20% will be for managers, employees, and technical personnel. In the long term, the trades and professional profiles to be trained and employed will evolve towards skills related to railway operation (maintenance agents, shunters, railway safety and traffic agents, etc.).
Enhanced Training Programs
The training axis has been significantly reinforced, offering courses on specific skills required for integration into the construction sites. This is made possible through collaboration between the Accademia delle Costruzioni and Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro, as well as direct meetings with the cluster of awarded companies. Additionally, continuous training courses are provided to keep workers abreast of new software and machinery related to the progressive evolution of the construction site.
A valuable asset in this endeavor is the synergy with the Accademia Piemonte Costruzioni e Infrastrutture, established in spring 2024. This academy brings together 33 training organizations and 26 partners from employer and trade union associations, professional bodies, ITS, the Polytechnic University and the University of Turin, as well as 37 companies that dedicate their training capabilities to the academy.
The partnership with TELT aims to standardize the skills of all personnel operating on the construction site, focusing on three main areas:
- Professional Integration: Specific training for unemployed individuals and young people to meet the demand for qualified labor, in collaboration with Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro.
- Professional Upgrading (Upskilling): Programs for already employed personnel on the use of new software and machinery, ensuring operational uniformity among different awarded companies.
- Advanced Safety: Additional training courses (funded via the INAIL-Regions call for tenders) exceeding minimum legal requirements. These modules, already launched with TELT personnel, cover digital prevention technologies, proper use of PPE, managerial aspects, and lifestyles.
Regarding programming, some training interventions have already started, and others are planned in the short, medium, and long term. The recipients have also been identified based on their classification and actual tasks on site, to ensure targeted, consistent, and truly useful courses. To date, the UXT group operating on the Chiomonte base tunnel construction site has identified priority training needs for: large and small diameter drillers; tunnel boring machine operators (mechanical and mechatronic components); and blasting miners.
Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Skills
The Lyon-Turin railway project is committed to creating a lasting legacy of skills and knowledge in the region. By investing in training and professional development, the project aims to ensure that the expertise gained during construction will benefit the territory long after the works are completed. This focus on sustainable skills development underscores the project’s broader commitment to regional economic growth and community well-being.
Source: https://www.telt.eu/fr/chantiers-lyon-turin-moteur-emploi-formation-piemont/
