For Milan, Italty-based Rotolito, one of Europe’s largest family-owned printing companies, investing in the future of print means investing in young people. Sales and Marketing Director Emanuele Bandecchi says that while Rotolito is powered by the experience of longtime employees, those employees are getting older — and their deep knowledge must be passed on. To address this, the company has created training courses and facility tours designed to engage students and early-career professionals who may never have considered print as a career path.
The initiative began with courses for project managers and sheet-fed press operators. Students attend a mix of classroom sessions and hands-on practice inside Rotolito’s facilities, guided by company managers who serve as teachers and mentors. At the end, participants receive a certification recognized in the wider market. Many have gone on to roles inside Rotolito itself, while others have joined printing firms across Italy — evidence that the program is strengthening the talent pipeline not only for Rotolito but for the industry at large.
Emanuele said one of the most effective parts of the program is simply opening the doors. Students who visit Rotolito often come away surprised by the sophistication of the technology and the creativity involved in modern print. “Visiting a printing facility reveals other aspects that you won’t imagine if you’ve never been in one,” he said. That exposure helps students see print as a dynamic, innovative field rather than an outdated one, and makes them more likely to pursue careers in the industry.
The courses also serve as a valuable hiring tool, Emanuele says. By observing students in action, Rotolito can identify the individuals most likely to succeed long-term — reducing the risk of hiring mismatches while fostering stronger engagement from new employees. “This course and this process helps us to make a screening and to have much more committed people that are starting to work within the company."
In November 2025, Rotolito will share more of its success story at the Dscoop Eco-Logic Summit in Milan. For Emanuele and his team, it’s another opportunity to show the industry what can happen when companies open their doors and exchange ideas. 
