Le persone straniere di fronte al mercato del lavoro bresciano, tra sfruttamento e valorizzazione. Riflessioni sul capitale umano

The chapter examines the contribution of the immigrant population to the productive system of the Province of Brescia, highlighting both the limitations and the potential of the current situation. In a context marked by demographic decline, population ageing, and the limited willingness of the native population to take on lower-skilled occupations, the contribution of immigrants has become increasingly indispensable for sustaining the local economic fabric.\r\n\r\nThe chapter investigates educational pathways and the quality of the human capital of people with a migrant background, focusing on their participation in school and university education as well as the language skills of adult immigrants. Following an introductory overview of immigrant employment and labour market trends in the Brescia area after the pandemic, the chapter presents the most recent regional and provincial data on the conditions of immigrant workers in the Province of Brescia.\r\n\r\nThe analysis then turns to the educational attainment, academic performance, and educational choices of the children of immigrants. The chapter concludes with a critical assessment of how human capital is often underutilized and insufficiently valued by businesses. It argues that companies need to make a significant step forward in diversity management and in supporting the talents of both their current employees and second-generation young people who have invested in higher levels of education and qualifications.