In its 15th year, the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation reviews its efforts to support individuals under 35 in the fields of university education, sports, and the arts. It also launches the fourth edition of its successful initiative aimed at training a new generation of specialized artisans. To date, 80% of scholarship recipients have been hired by top-tier companies in Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, and Liguria after completing their paid internships.

Over 500 applications have been submitted for 46 scholarships, totaling approximately €250,000 in funding, with 80% of recipients securing employment at their internship companies. These are the figures from the first three editions of Master Mësté, the project developed by the Cecilia Gilardi Foundation to train skilled artisans and facilitate their entry into the workforce.

Building on this success, the fourth edition of the Master Mësté call for applications is now open from March 7 to May 11. It offers 18 scholarships, each worth €5,400, for unemployed or job-seeking young people aged 18 to 35. The program includes a comprehensive training path with 35 hours of classroom instruction followed by a six-month full-time internship at one of the participating companies—11 in Piedmont, 3 in Liguria, and 2 in Valle d’Aosta. Additionally, starting this year, a partnership with Agenzia Piemonte Lavoro will provide candidates with practical tools and support for CV writing and job interview preparation.

The project covers various artisan specializations, including tailoring, weaving, fashion and design, woodworking and restoration, glass creations and goldsmithing, pastry and confectionery, pharmacy and cosmetics, sculpture, and prosthetics.

Selected scholars will receive a €900/month stipend while working at distinguished artisan companies such as Alessandrosimoni Maglieria, Archivio Tipografico, Associazione Al Cicapui, Atelier des Pampilles, Cappellificio Cervo, Chiara Ferraris Art & Glass Fusing, Elena Pignata Sartoria, Equipe Gioielli, Fabrizio Racca Pasticceria, Mutazioni Studio, the Conservation and Restoration Center “La Venaria Reale,” Dottor Nicola Farmacista, Auberge de la Maison, Cordani Velluti, Fratelli Levaggi, and Confetteria Romanengo.

Throughout the internship, scholars will be closely monitored by a work psychologist acting as a tutor, ensuring smooth progress and addressing any challenges that may arise.

Master Mësté is supported by the Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta regional governments, as well as institutions such as Fondazione CRT, the Turin Chamber of Commerce, Fondazione Creonti, Fondazione Magnetto, and Exclusive Brands Torino. The initiative also collaborates with the Polytechnic University of Turin, Fondazione Time2, Fondazione Accorsi-Ometto, CNA Torino, Fondazione Comunitaria della Valle D’Aosta, Permicro Spa, Informagiovani Torino, Informagiovani Genova, and ADAVA Federalberghi Valle d’Aosta.

For detailed information and application submission, click here.