From the laboratory to industry: the dialogue preparing tomorrow’s engineers

What happens when the academic world meets industry, without filters or intermediaries? Opportunities for valuable dialogue emerge, where theory is put to the test against practice and students begin to catch a glimpse of their professional future.

This was precisely the spirit of “Tech Talks – Companies introduce themselves to engineers,” a new series of events promoted by the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento and coordinated by Professor Stefano Rossi. The initiative brought some of the most significant companies from the local and national industrial landscape directly into the classroom, offering students a first-hand look at the processes, technologies and challenges shaping today’s industrial world.

These were not simply company presentations, but genuine opportunities for dialogue in which companies shared their experiences starting from what really matters: innovation, sustainability, digital transformation and the skills they are looking for. As Diego B. explains, “I was impressed by the strong presence of young professionals and by the companies’ interest in engaging with students and future professionals.”

Between April and May, the series opened with two companies deeply rooted in the metallurgical sector: Gruppo Pittini, active in steel production, and BLM Group, specializing in metalworking technologies. Two different yet complementary perspectives on a key sector of the manufacturing industry.

For Simone B., the events represented a concrete opportunity to discover new career paths: “I discovered the different career opportunities available to a materials engineer, from technical office positions to roles I knew little about, such as plant maintenance manager.”

Many students were able to recognize practical applications of topics covered in their courses. Margherita K., a Management Engineering student, says she encountered “company structures, processes and marketing decisions” studied in her Economics course, as well as numerous connections with lessons in Materials and Metallurgy: “Listening to the speakers, I was able to understand how many of the concepts we study in class are then applied concretely in companies’ day-to-day work.”

The second event featured Ferrari Tailor Made, Ferrari’s exclusive bespoke vehicle customization programme, showing how engineering, design and craftsmanship can come together to create unique products. Among the aspects that particularly impressed the students, Giovanni M. highlights how “it was particularly interesting to see how a process scrap could be recycled and eventually turned into an actual automotive component.”

The event also revealed the more creative side of industrial engineering: “I was surprised by how increasingly present the artistic component is in products,” says Beatriz C. “I have always been passionate about art, but I never expected to find it in companies with such a strong impact as Ferrari.”

The journey continued with Würth Italia, a leading company in fastening systems and technical solutions, and Dalmec, a company specializing in industrial handling systems: two concrete examples of innovation applied to production processes.

It was precisely Dalmec’s industrial manipulators that attracted the attention of many participants: “I was impressed both by how they work, which I found very interesting, and because they represent a solution that is also accessible to companies that could not afford a robotic arm,” says Beatriz C., who also recognized many of the skills acquired during her studies: “We were given a closer look at the work of a designer, a role that requires solid foundations and specific skills to understand which forces are involved in the system being designed and to represent it using software such as SolidWorks. It is also very important to have a knowledge of chemistry in order to choose the most suitable material, so that the product is durable, safe and effective.”

Another stop took participants into the world of packaging and materials, with Kosme, which designs bottling plants, and Aquafil Group, a leader in the production of synthetic fibres and polymer materials, also committed to developing sustainable solutions. “I recognized several practical applications of what I study, particularly in the field of finite element analysis used for structural verification of designs,” reflects Simone B.

The programme concluded with two companies operating in very different sectors but sharing a strong drive for innovation: Mahle, a major player in the automotive industry, and Zobele, specializing in products and solutions for air care. As Rachele P. explains: “During the events, I discovered how diverse the working world is and how many opportunities it offers. I saw how different companies are working to make their production more efficient and sustainable, each taking a different approach. In particular, I was struck by how each company strives to find the right area for its employees and make the workplace as comfortable as possible through benefits and services.”

Each event was designed to offer not only an overview of the companies, but also an opportunity for direct interaction for students, who were able to ask questions, explore technical topics in greater depth and begin building a dialogue with the professional world. “Tech Talks are one of the few opportunities to meet different companies and gain a concrete understanding of the roles one might take on in the future,” observes Massimiliano M.

At a time when the skills required by industry are evolving rapidly, initiatives like this create a direct bridge between university education and the industrial world, helping make the professional future closer and easier to understand: “I discovered that the working world may not be as distant, full of unknowns and difficult to find satisfying as I had imagined,” says Margherita K. An experience that, in Beatriz C.’s words, helps students “bring some order to their future” and, as Margherita adds, “imagine where they can make the most of their potential.”

Possible accompanying photos: Ph. credits: UniTrento DII – reproduction authorized