The italian Council of Ministers has approved a bill for the ratification and execution of the Agreement between the Republic of Italy and Canada on youth mobility, which was drafted during meetings in Rome and Ottawa on December 11, 2020, in Rome on January 20, 2021 and in Toronto on February 3, 2021.
The Agreement is very important in the context of further strengthening vocational training opportunities for young people entering the world of work. It will replace the existing “Memorandum of Understanding” of 2006, extending for the Italian side the work permit to 12 months and inserting two new categories of participants:
– Young Professionals, dedicated to those who, already in possession of a post-secondary qualification (equivalent to our three-year degree), intend to acquire professional work experience in the host country;
– International Co-op for students who, in order to complete their post-secondary course of study, intend to carry out a curricular internship on subjects related to their course of study at a company operating in the host country.
– Working-Holiday for those who wish to receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country during a trip.
Canada and Italy are long-standing partners in youth mobility, having first signed an agreement in 2006.
Although the pandemic has brought with it a number of temporary measures such as travel restrictions, the agreement will provide new opportunities for travel and work when conditions allow. For now, only young people who have a current and valid job offer can enter Canada under the EIC program.
“I am very pleased – said the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino – to have been able to conclude this agreement with Italy that will offer young Canadians and Italians even more opportunities to live, travel and work abroad when it is safe to do so. We live in an increasingly interconnected world where innovation often comes from people who have traveled extensively, who appreciate other cultures and who are open to new ideas, perspectives and ways of doing things. All of this contributes to strengthening the ties between Canada and Italy.”
“This agreement – adds Minister Luigi Di Maio – aimed at strengthening the exchange of experience and knowledge between Italian and Canadian citizens and at creating new opportunities for professional training, responds to a need deeply felt by young people today. I am certain that it will contribute to further strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.”
