Taranto – February 6, 2025, marked an important milestone for the city of Taranto with the inauguration of the new Employment Center, situated at Via Veneto 83. The event was warmly welcomed by the local community and attended by significant institutional figures, highlighting the importance of the new center for active labor policies and enhancing worker skills.
President of the Puglia Region, Michele Emiliano, expressed his satisfaction with this important achievement, which is the result of collaboration between ARPAL and the Municipality of Taranto. Emiliano stated, "Today, we want to start a new course for the implementation of active labor policies... Democracy and equity must drive our efforts," emphasizing the center's role as more than just a physical location.
According to the president, the inauguration signifies not only tangible progress but also the beginning of new approaches to labor policies within Puglia's most significant industrial district. He pointed out the central role of ARPAL, the regional agency for active labor policies, which will be responsible for guiding the complex sustainable economic challenges Taranto faces, including decarbonization, the Mediterranean Games, and the development of the blue economy.
The enhancement of worker skills is viewed as central to Taranto’s employment future. Emiliano remarked, "These are concrete job prospects requiring the progressive reskilling of workers, necessitating also complex reorganization of how we deliver services." The inauguration also served as the platform for sharing the center's activity data and employment statistics, which reported increases in jobs throughout the province during 2024.
Mayor Rinaldo Melucci underscored the significance of the new center as a result of synergistic work among institutions. "The inauguration of the new 'home' of the Employment Center is the result of shared commitment to improving services offered to citizens and effectively responding to labor market challenges," he stated.
The event also included greetings from Mattia Giorno, advisor to the President for coordinating activities related to ecological, cultural, and economic transitions, reaffirming the center's importance as a reference point for labor policies.
The inauguration of the Taranto Employment Center marks a pivotal step forward for both the city and the Puglia region—a step toward sustainable and innovative employment opportunities. Authorities are committed to ensuring effective services and supporting workers as they transition, creating new prospects for growth.
Beniamino Di Cagno, president of ARPAL Puglia, stated, "The new headquarters will allow us to handle the large workload more serenely, which is managed by the Employment Center, covering over 200,000 users from the municipalities of Taranto and Statte." The previous site was declared uninhabitable on April 11, 2023, and the new operational center was established following logistical details confirmed on April 30, 2024.
The center will operate efficiently with its offices open to the public from Monday to Friday, along with extended hours for consultations, ensuring accessibility for all users. "It is important for us to be present where citizens need work, particularly where industry is strong, as active labor policies play a strategic role there," commented Gianluca Budano, Director-General of ARPAL Puglia.
Statistical reports showed job increases across the province of Taranto, with 6,702 more individuals employed compared to the previous year. Employment statistics reveal an increase of 1.73% from December 2023 to December 2024. Concurrently, there was also a reduction of 1.09% in unemployment and 0.64% in inactivity rates.
Throughout 2024, the Employment Center provided assistance to over 11,209 users, capturing immediate availability declarations and personal service agreements. The center was pivotal in managing 322 job offers and arranging numerous training seminars, tailoring its programs to serve those closest to the job market and those needing more support.
Marcello Murgia, City Councilor for Heritage, emphasized the center's multi-layered role as he mentioned, "This center is not just about job placement; it’s about training, orientation, and support for workers and businesses. The Administration is determined to promote active labor policies responsive to our community’s needs, and we believe this new structure will significantly create opportunities and improve the quality of life for our citizens."
With the appropriate positioning of the new center, it aims to strengthen the community’s economic development, thereby enhancing Taranto's occupational health and fostering growth for years to come.