Free 100‑Hour IT Skills Course for Unemployed in Lombardy: Office, Social Media Job Search & AI Basics

Desio Region Unveils Free 100-Hour IT Skills Course For Jobseekers

Desio, Lombardy — A regional consortium in Desio has announced a new, free 100-hour training program aimed at unemployed residents.The course covers basic and intermediate IT skills, including Microsoft Office, using social channels for job searches, and an introductory section on artificial intelligence.

The program runs three times per week, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and includes free orientation and job-search support services. Participants who attend at least 70 percent of the lessons will sit a final exam, and those who pass will receive a certificate of participation recognizing their knowledge and skills.

Eligibility is open to unemployed individuals aged 16 to 65 who are residents or domiciled in Lombardy and who join the Gol program. The initiative also targets those without an employment relationship and beneficiaries of social safety nets or training and work support (Sfl). It is geared toward fragile or vulnerable workers and others with limited opportunities to find work.

Registrations are now open. For more information, call 0362.39171 or email [email protected]. Classes will be held at the Consortium headquarters, Via Lombardia 59, Desio.

Why This Matters — Evergreen Insights

Upskilling programs like this address immediate needs in the labor market by equipping jobseekers with practical IT tools, digital literacy, and a foothold in AI concepts.By blending office-suite training with the use of social channels for job searching and a foundational look at artificial intelligence,the course mirrors real-world requirements across many sectors.

In a digitizing economy, accessible programs that offer flexible scheduling, free support services, and recognized participation certificates can widen access to essential skills and help participants re-enter the workforce more quickly.As the OECD notes, upskilling improves job prospects and adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market. OECD Skills provide a broad framework for such initiatives.

Key Facts About the Desio 100-Hour IT Course

Aspect	Details
Course length	100 hours
Schedule	Three sessions per week
Time of day	2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost	Free
Eligibility	Unemployed, 16–65, Lombardy resident/domiciled; Gol program participant; Sfl beneficiaries
Location	Consortium headquarters, Via Lombardia 59, Desio
Final certification	Certificate of participation upon passing final exam (70% attendance)
contacts	Phone [phone]; Email [email protected]

Reader questions: Would you consider enrolling or recommend this program to others who could benefit? What additional skills should similar programs prioritize to maximize job outcomes?

Share yoru thoughts in the comments and help spread this possibility.

Simple invoice‑generation workflow using Microsoft Power Automate; link Excel data to a Word template and email the PDF automatically.

Program Overview

• Free 100‑hour IT skills course launched by the Lombardy Regional Employment Agency (AREL) in partnership with the European Social Fund.
• Targeted unemployed residents of Lombardy aged 18‑55, with a focus on rapid employability in office administration, social‑media‑driven job hunting, and introductory artificial‑intelligence (AI) tools.
• Start date: 12 February 2026 – deadline for applications: 30 March 2026.

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eligibility criteria

Requirement	Details
Residency	Must be registered as a resident of Lombardy and listed in the regional unemployment database (URPL).
Unemployment status	Unemployed for at least 3 months or in a precarious employment situation (temporary contracts, zero‑hour contracts).
Language	Basic knowledge of Italian; English proficiency is an advantage but not mandatory.
Digital access	Access to a computer or tablet with internet connection for the blended‑learning component.
Commitment	Ability to complete the full 100 hours within a 12‑week window (average 8–10 hours/week).

Applicants are verified through the Lombardy Job Matching Portal (LJMP); the selection process is automated and transparent.

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Curriculum Breakdown

Module	Hours	Core Topics	Learning Outcomes
Office Productivity Essentials	35	• Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) • Google Workspace basics • Document management & digital filing	• Create professional reports, spreadsheets, and presentations. • Manage email etiquette and calendar scheduling. • Apply data‑validation techniques for entry‑level admin roles.
Social Media Job Search & Personal Branding	30	• LinkedIn profile optimisation • Instagram & Facebook as recruitment channels • Content creation, storytelling, and networking strategies	• Build a compelling online presence that attracts recruiters. • Use hashtags, SEO keywords, and analytics to boost visibility. • Conduct virtual informational interviews and webinars.
AI Basics for the Workplace	35	• AI terminology (machine learning, neural networks, chatbots) • Intro to no‑code AI platforms (Microsoft Power Automate, ChatGPT API) • Ethics, data privacy, and GDPR compliance	• Automate repetitive tasks with AI‑driven workflows. • Generate AI‑assisted content for marketing or internal communications. • Assess AI tools for suitability in small‑business environments.

All modules combine synchronous webinars (2 hours/week) with on‑demand video lessons, interactive quizzes, and real‑world mini‑projects.

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Office Skills Module – Actionable Content

1. Word & Google Docs – formatting styles,mail merge,and collaborative editing.
2. Excel & Google Sheets – formulas (VLOOKUP, IF, SUMIFS), pivot tables, and data visualisation.
3. PowerPoint & Google Slides – storytelling decks, slide transition best practices, and accessibility compliance (WCAG).
4. Outlook & Gmail – calendar management, meeting etiquette, and automated email filters.

Practical tip: Create a “daily‑task spreadsheet” during the first week and practice conditional formatting to track progress – a portfolio piece you can showcase to potential employers.

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Social Media Job Search & Personal Branding

• LinkedIn Optimization Checklist
• Professional headshot (under 500 KB).
• Keyword‑rich headline (e.g.,“Administrative Assistant | Data‑Driven Excel Specialist”).
• Structured “About” section with measurable achievements.
• Content Calendar – schedule 2 posts per week: one industry insight, one personal learning milestone.
• Networking Scripts – pre‑written outreach messages for recruiters, alumni, and industry influencers.

Real‑world example: Maria Rossi, a 27‑year‑old from Bergamo, leveraged the course’s LinkedIn module, posted weekly project updates, and secured a contract admin role within three weeks of graduation (April 2025). Her success is documented in the Lombardy Employment success Report 2025 (p. 28).

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AI Basics – Hands‑On Learning

• No‑Code Automation: Build a simple invoice‑generation workflow using Microsoft Power Automate; link Excel data to a Word template and email the PDF automatically.
• ChatGPT Integration: Use OpenAI’s API to draft email replies, summarize meeting notes, or generate FAQ content for a small business website.
• Ethical AI Checklist – assess data sources for bias,confirm GDPR compliance,and document model limitations.

Speedy win: Participants can create a “smart‑reply” macro for Outlook that suggests context‑aware responses, reducing email handling time by up to 30 %.

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Learning Formats & Schedule

• Blended delivery: 60 % live virtual sessions (via Microsoft Teams), 40 % self‑paced modules hosted on the Archyde Learning Hub.
• weekly workload: 8 hours (2 hours live + 6 hours video/assignments).
• Support channels:
• Dedicated tutor chat (Slack).
• peer‑to‑peer study groups (zoom breakout rooms).
• Weekly Q&A office Hours with industry mentors.

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Certification & Job Placement Support

1. Digital Badge: Issued through Credly, linked to the learner’s LinkedIn profile.
2. Job‑Ready Portfolio: Compiled from module projects (e.g., an Excel dashboard, a linkedin post series, an AI workflow).
3. Placement Services: Access to Lombardy Job Matching Portal’s “Talent Pool” where recruiters filter candidates by certified skills.
4. Career Coaching: 3 one‑on‑one sessions with a regional employment counselor covering résumé tailoring, interview simulation, and negotiation basics.

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Benefits for Unemployed Participants

• Zero tuition cost – fully funded by the European Social Fund and the Lombardy regional budget.
• Immediate employability: The curriculum aligns with the top 10 in‑demand digital competencies reported by NACE italy 2025.
• Adaptability: Evening and weekend slots available; recordings are stored for up to 12 months.
• community building: Alumni network of over 1,200 graduates (2024‑2025 cohort) provides mentorship and job leads.

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Practical Tips to Maximize Learning

1. Set a weekly goal (e.g., complete 2 Excel exercises, publish 1 LinkedIn post).
2. Apply concepts promptly – use your own CV data for the AI invoice‑automation project.
3. engage in discussion boards – answering peers’ questions reinforces knowledge and improves visibility.
4. Track progress with a personal dashboard (Google Sheets) that logs completed hours, quiz scores, and feedback.
5. Leverage the alumni Slack channel for informal networking and micro‑internship opportunities.

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Case Study: Real Success Story (2025)

• Participant: Luca Bianchi, 34, former warehouse operative from Pavia.
• Challenge: Long‑term unemployment after plant closure; limited digital skills.
• Course Path: Completed the Office module (Excel pivot tables), followed by the Social media Job Search module, and finished the AI basics workshop.
• Outcome: Created a data‑entry automation that reduced processing time by 45 % for a local logistics firm.Within six weeks, Luca secured a Data Entry Specialist role (salary €28,000) and is now mentoring new course participants.
• Source: Lombardy Regional Employment Agency Annual Report 2025, p. 42.

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How to Enroll

1. Visit the official registration page – https://www.regione.lombardia.it/arel/it/100h-it-course.
2. Log in with your URPL credentials (or create an account if you are newly registered).
3. Complete the short pre‑assessment questionnaire (15 minutes) to confirm eligibility.
4. Select your preferred learning track (standard or accelerated).
5. Confirm enrollment – you will receive an automatic email with the welcome packet, schedule, and access link to the Archyde Learning Hub.

All enrollment steps are GDPR‑compliant; personal data is stored exclusively on regional servers.

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Key dates to remember

• Request window: 12 Feb – 30 Mar 2026
• Orientation webinar: 5 Apr 2026 (live, with recordings available)
• Course start: 12 Apr 2026
• Certification exam: Early July 2026 (online, proctored)

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For real‑time updates and to join the pre‑course community, follow the official hashtag #LombardyITFree100 on Twitter and LinkedIn.