«Two words to define” Amici per la Pelle “?: enthusiasm and curiosity. Curiosity is typical of such a young age, I was 12 years old when I attended the project, and the enthusiasm is in discovering closely what was the “famous” tanning industry of which those born in the area heard about very soon»: Filippo Bartolommei, 19 years old, from Santa Croce sull’ Arno, remembers his participation in the first edition of Amici per la pelle, year 2010 \ 11, when the project started as an experiment in the middle school of Santa Croce sull’ Arno.
In class with Filippo, among his ” Amici per la Pelle “, another student from Santa Croce, Vittorio Masoni, who adds «with the right language, simple and effective, the project was also useful to explain that the tanning industry can offer different and stimulating opportunities: some of our classmates have continued their studies by choosing subjects concerning the leather supply chain, even abroad».
After high school, Filippo and Vittorio are attending university in Pisa, respectively the faculties of Economics and Management and engineering. “Regardless of the course of study that everyone has chosen – Filippo continues – it remains an experience that has made us grow and we recommend to live it with fun and commitment to all students who are participating,” “Also thanks to this project- Vittorio adds-students will be able to discover t resources related to the tanning industry, sometimes little known even by those who live in the district».
In February the final stage of the project
Business, school, institutions: the consent on the project is unanimous, marked by the participation of other municipalities of the leather area over the years and by the involvement with the associations of the district, tanneries, shoe factory, industrial plants and the POTECO that host student visits. In a form of alternation between in class activities and internship that in fact has anticipated the most modern training programs. In every edition, Amici per la Pelle has the merit of clarifying that with commitment you can achieve results both at school as well as in the work place, and at the same time know how to explain the great heritage that the tanning industry represents for this territory. It was intended as a bet and then the project has evolved into a winning tool ‘: To speak is Roberto Gama, Vice President of Assoconciatori, creator of the project together with the Gruppo Giovani Conciatori of the Tuscany district.