WHAT ARE JOINT INTERPROFESSIONAL FUNDS?
Joint Interprofessional Funds for Continuing Education are associations founded and promoted by both workers’ and employers’ organisations, through specific national multi-industry agreements stipulated by major national trade unions and employers’ organizations. Now, there are 18 active funds (Fondimpresa, which is the most famous), FART Fondartigianato, FBA Fondo Banche Assicurazioni, Fonarcom, Formazienda, Forte, Fapi, FonCoop etc.) three of which are intended for Managers (Fondirigenti, Fondir, Fondo Dirigenti PMI). In accordance with Italian Law 388/2000, businesses may allocate 0.30% of the social security contributions which are paid to INPS (the Italian national institute for social security), to one of the Joint Interprofessional Funds through the UNIEMENS form. Employers may join a second fund, solely for training their managers, by choosing among the funds established for this purpose.
WHAT DO THEY FINANCE?
Joint Interprofessional Funds finance corporate, industrial and regional training schemes. Businesses wishing to invest in the development of their employees, may present their projects either alone or in groups. Individual training schemes and other preparatory or training-related activities may be financed as well. Moreover, in accordance with Italian Law No. 148 of 14 September 2011, training schemes may involve employees with apprenticeship contracts or with project-related fixed term contracts.
HOW CAN BUSINESSES JOIN?
Businesses can join a fund through the UNIEMENS social security declaration form they routinely use on a monthly basis to pay social security contributions. By doing so, businesses will allocate 0.30% of the contributions to the training of their employees.
WHICH FUND TO CHOOSE
Businesses may freely choose which Joint Interprofessional Fund to join. Usually, they choose the funds which are related to their industry or promoted by an employers’ organisation they are members of. A business may join one fund only.
WHAT ABOUT MANAGERS?
In order to encourage the training of their managers, businesses may join one of the three funds specifically established for this purpose i.e. Fondirigenti, Fondir, Fondo Dirigenti PMI. This means that the contributions paid for this kind of employee will be paid to these funds. Business may join two different funds in this specific case only.
DOES JOINING A JOINT INTERPROFESSIONAL FUND IMPLY A COST?
No fees are charged for joining Joint Interprofessional Funds. Costs will be covered by a part of the contributions ordinarily paid to INPS. INPS will transfer a percentage of the contributions to the chosen fund. Subscription to a fund is voluntary and revocable. It is valid for one year and shall be automatically renewed, unless terminated.