In Sardinia, the number of graduates increased from 12 to 17% between 2007 and 2011 and the level of education of the adult population is one the highest in Italy (53.5%, while the national average is 44%).
The number of employees pertaining to the age group between 25 and 64 are relatively better trained and educated compared to other regions: 6.1% compared to the 4.2% of South Italy and the 5.4% of the rest of Italy. This phenomenon is increasingly relevant among the non-employed (unemployed and looking for their first job) pertaining to the same age group. In 2011, they accounted for 8%.
Owing to its long industrial, manufacturing and agricultural tradition, in Sardinia the professional and practical skills offered meet the demand for human resources in all productive sectors.
In addition to higher education, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the qualifications of local human capital, as part of the 2007-2013 ESF (European Social Fund) programme. Here is a list of the main projects.
- The Master & Back project (http://www.regione.sardegna.it/masterandback/) provides for implementation of a series of actions aimed at strengthening the higher education/work system in Sardinia. For instance, to date, the highest allocation of resources has been the funding of scholarships for the participation in higher education courses and internship programmes and the providing of grants to companies and organizations for the establishment of return programmes.
- The Research Scholarships awarded to young researchers, co-financed with funds from the PO Sardegna Regional Law 7/2007 "Promotion of scientific research and technological innovation in Sardinia", allocating approximately 51,000,000 euros between 2008 and 2011.
- The Ph.D. scholarships and research grants provided to the Universities of Cagliari and Sassari. Between 2011 and 2012, 217 scholarships and 109 research grants were awarded to the University of Cagliari and 117 scholarships and 63 research grants to the University of Sassari.