Veronafiere, organiser of the Samoter exhibition, is launching Samoter Academy, a collaboration with non-profit foundation Engim Veneto and equipment manufacturers to promote training and skills development in the construction equipment industry.
The initiative will be established after the next Samoter show, which takes place in Verona, Italy, on 6 to 9 May 2026, and aims to address the problem of shortages in machine operators, which is a challenge for machine users as well as equipment manufacturers.
Veronafiere said only 6% of Italian students choose vocational training in mechanics, electrical systems, and other trades, compared to a European average of 25%.
It hopes that Samoter Academy – which will be offered exclusively to exhibitors at Samoter 2026 – will reverse this trend by offering young people professionalised career paths with strong links to the job market.
The project will provide theory lectures, practical sessions and immersive training, working with Engim Veneto and vocational training schools, research institutes and leading companies, to “build a bridge between the educational system and the production sector.”
The project is designed to help students make informed decisions after middle school (around 15 years old) guiding them towards careers in the construction equipment sector as well as giving manufacturing companies the chance to train future operators directly on their own machinery and equipment.
“By launching the Samoter Academy,” said Matteo Pasinato, Samoter event manager at Veronafiere, “we seek to provide a permanent fixture for updates, comparisons and growth for everyone working or preparing to work in this rapidly changing world.
“The Academy came into being after listening to the needs expressed by the supply chain: companies looking for new skills, young people asking for practical and up-to-date training, and institutions pushing for a more sustainable and digitalised sector.
“This is why we conceived a project that does not end after the trade fair closes but continues throughout the year, with training content, special events and strategic collaborations with research institutions, professional schools and companies.”
The Samoter Academy project will be available exclusively for exhibitors at Samoter 2026, who can join through sponsorship. Companies can contribute to educational content by offering internships at their headquarters.
