Skills are one of the most important investments for a company’s future. Innovation means developing new products and technologies, but above all it means investing in people and creating the conditions for them to grow.
For a company that has been operating in the technical apparel sector for more than one hundred years, investing in skills means preserving a wealth of knowledge built over time while preparing to meet the challenges of an ever-changing market.
For this reason, Grassi 1925 has always considered dialogue with schools, universities and young people an integral part of its vision. Through company visits and educational initiatives such as PMI Day, Generazione d’Industria and Education Day, the company promotes opportunities for students and businesses to connect, convinced that the growth of the manufacturing sector depends on the growth of future generations.
For Roberto Grassi, the relationship between business and education has long been a concrete commitment. First as an entrepreneur, and later during his presidency of Confindustria Varese, he promoted initiatives aimed at strengthening the connection between schools and the business community. Today, he continues this commitment in his role as President of LIUC – Cattaneo University.
We asked our President to share his thoughts on the value of collaboration between business, education and the younger generations.
What does becoming President of LIUC mean to you?
“I have accepted this role with a strong sense of responsibility. LIUC represents one of the most important investments made by our local industrial community over the past decades. It is a university founded by businesses and for businesses, and I believe its role is now more relevant than ever. We are living in a time when technologies, business models and required skills are evolving rapidly. Strengthening the relationship between universities and industry means helping young people develop the tools they need to face these changes.”
What responsibility do entrepreneurs have towards younger generations today?
“I believe companies have an important responsibility: opening their doors to young people and showing them what working in manufacturing really means today. Initiatives such as PMI Day, Generazione d’Industria and Education Day offer students the opportunity to discover how products are developed, the wide range of professional skills involved and the many opportunities our manufacturing sector can provide. At the same time, these encounters are valuable for companies as well, because they expose us to new ideas, expectations and perspectives.
Technological transformation, digitalisation and the continuous evolution of skills are profoundly changing the manufacturing world. This is why the relationship between schools, universities and businesses has become more strategic than ever.”
How important is it to strengthen this dialogue?
“Universities and businesses have different roles, but they share the same responsibility: preparing the skills that will be needed tomorrow. Universities provide knowledge, analytical thinking and methodology, while companies contribute practical experience, innovation and a direct understanding of market needs. When these two worlds work together, they create value that goes far beyond individual educational paths and becomes a resource for the entire community.”
For Grassi 1925, investing in skills means looking to the future with responsibility. Because every innovation begins with people, and every company truly grows when it contributes to the development of the skills and talents of its community.
