What is the smart VAlley project in Daverio?

Smart VAlley is a campus of over 5000 square meters located in Via Roma 57 in Daverio, created to create a concrete connection between the world of school and that of business. The structure, redeveloped by the ERGO Foundation, has 9 classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, ergonomics, computer labs and a Digital Model Factory. The project aims to counter deindustrialisation by providing advanced skills needed for the digital transition and artificial intelligence.

What are the costs and funding of the project?

The total investment for the construction of the smart VAlley campus amounts to 4.5 million euros. Of this amount, 3 million euros were obtained through a tender, while the remaining part of 1.5 million euros is being collected to complete the financial plan of the work.

When do the training courses start on campus?

The first training course, an IFTS course in Management Mechatronics developed in collaboration with its Lombardy Mechatronics Academy, will start at the end of September. The course will involve fifteen students who will have the opportunity to carry out an apprenticeship at as many companies in the area, marking a concrete start of teaching activities within the new structure.

Daverio: the new smartt VAlley campus has been inaugurated (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 13 September 2026

The 5000 sqm campus dedicated to training and innovation is open at Daverio. Investment of 4.5 million euros to bridge the gap between school and factory.

Context

In brief

SMARTT VAlley's Education Area inaugurated in Daverio.
A campus spanning over 5,000 square meters dedicated to skills and innovation.
First IFTS course starting at the end of September with fifteen students and companies.
Total investment of 4.5 million euros for the project.

Key facts

What: Inauguration of the SMARTT VAlley campus
When: Saturday morning
Where: Via Roma 57, Daverio
Who: Fondazione Ergo
Amount: 3 million euros from public grants, 1.5 million to be raised
Capacity: 9 classrooms, 250-seat auditorium

The SMARTT VAlley Education Area has officially opened its doors at Via Roma 57 in Daverio, marking a significant moment for the local industrial fabric. The facility, which extends over five thousand square meters within a completely redeveloped industrial warehouse, aims to create a concrete bridge between the world of education and the business sector. The inauguration, held in the presence of local authorities, regional representatives, and the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti, highlighted the importance of investing in advanced skills to counter the deindustrialization of the Varese area.

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Operational details

The SMARTT VAlley initiative raises crucial reflections for the cross-border labor market, where the demand for high-level technical skills is a constant theme for workers commuting daily to the Canton of Ticino. The model proposed by Gabriele Caragnano, based on sharing spaces and expertise among multiple companies rather than isolated internal academies, offers an interesting point of analysis for companies operating in a context of intense global competition. For a cross-border worker, understanding the evolution of Italian factories is fundamental: the gap between the perception of the factory as a place of toil and today's reality, characterized by technology and innovation, is a divide the project intends to bridge. The ability to adapt to professions that do not yet exist, by training systemic and creative thinking, represents a common challenge for both the Italian and Swiss industrial systems.

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Key points

For those wishing to delve deeper into their employment status or better understand how technical skills influence net pay, it is essential to constantly monitor developments in the manufacturing sector and opportunities for continuous training. Specialized training is not only a path for personal growth, but a factor that directly impacts professional evaluation during contract negotiations. Workers operating between Italy and Switzerland must be aware of how their profile is perceived by employers, especially in a market that, as highlighted in Daverio, increasingly requires flexibility and the ability to learn quickly. The procedure for those intending to update their skills involves, first and foremost, verifying recognized apprenticeship or continuing education paths, which can vary significantly between the two national systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart VAlley project in Daverio?: Smart VAlley is a campus of over 5000 square meters located in Via Roma 57 in Daverio, created to create a concrete connection between the world of school and that of business. The structure, redeveloped by the ERGO Foundation, has 9 classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, ergonomics, computer labs and a Digital Model Factory. The project aims to counter deindustrialisation by providing advanced skills needed for the digital transition and artificial intelligence.
What are the costs and funding of the project?: The total investment for the construction of the smart VAlley campus amounts to 4.5 million euros. Of this amount, 3 million euros were obtained through a tender, while the remaining part of 1.5 million euros is being collected to complete the financial plan of the work.
When do the training courses start on campus?: The first training course, an IFTS course in Management Mechatronics developed in collaboration with its Lombardy Mechatronics Academy, will start at the end of September. The course will involve fifteen students who will have the opportunity to carry out an apprenticeship at as many companies in the area, marking a concrete start of teaching activities within the new structure.