Abstract

From the Sixties and Seventies onward, a process of differentiation in higher education became a hallmark in numerous European countries. However, this phenomenon was notably absent in Italy, where it only commenced in the Ninenties. This article offers a historical contextualization of endeavors to institute tertiary vocational education channel within the Italian educational framework. Subsequently, it undertakes an exploratory analysis of distinctive features in comparison to the vocational tertiary education systems of Germany and France. The paper focuses on the non-academic sector analyzing the Istituti Tecnici Superiori (ITS), which, although currently occupying a marginal role in tertiary vocational education, has been identified by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) as a pivotal driver for economic and generational advancement. The ITS system, recently rebranded ITS Academy, has been conspicuous by the absence of a stable and precise theoretical underpinning. Conversely, it has been characterized by recurrent organizational and managerial adjustments that have proven inadequate in addressing its inherent structural challenges. The paper concludes with a reflection on potential trajectories for ITS Academies, particularly considering the recent 99/2022 reform, which offers limited prospects for substantive innovation.