Abstract
This essay presents the conclusions of a survey on university diplomas in Piedmont. University diplomas – recently introduced in Italy – represent a tangible opportunity for permanently combining the world of training with that of production. Comparing the opinions of people (from universities and enterprises and new diploma holders) who have followed such courses, it emerges, however, that today many university diplomas receive little recognition on the labour market, partly because their qualifications often have an over-theoretical base. Despite that, two thirds of new diploma holders hold down jobs. Firms continue to show a great deal of interest for university diplomas, especially those envisaging vocational training courses combining theory and practice, hence capable of producing technicians and middle managers.
