Tutor Training: A Complete Guide to the 20-Hour INDIRE Courses

The Italian school system is being enhanced with two key professional roles: the tutor teacher and the guidance teacher. Introduced by Ministerial Decree No. 328 of December 22, 2022, these new professional roles address a specific need for renewal. The goal is to personalize learning and guide students toward more informed future choices. This initiative, an integral part of the guidance reform outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), aims to reduce school dropout rates and improve the alignment between education and the job market. To prepare teachers for these strategic roles, a mandatory 20-hour training course, delivered by INDIRE, has been established.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to this course, analyzing its structure, objectives, and the skills it develops. It will explore how this training fits into the broader European context, which promotes guidance as a tool for individual and social growth. The connection to Mediterranean culture will also be examined, highlighting an approach that combines humanistic tradition and technological innovation to prepare young people for the challenges of the future. This is a path that, as we will see, is not just a regulatory requirement but an opportunity to rethink the very role of the educator.

Who Are the Tutor Teacher and the Guidance Teacher?

The roles of the tutor teacher and the guidance teacher, although closely related, are distinct and complementary within upper secondary schools. The tutor teacher is responsible for supporting a small group of students, helping them become aware of their potential and overcome any difficulties. This teacher acts as an advisor, fostering constant dialogue with students and their families, especially at crucial moments of educational choices. Their work is focused on personalizing the learning path, enhancing the talents and inclinations of each student.

The guidance teacher, on the other hand, has a more strategic and cross-curricular function. Their task is to collect and make accessible data and information on post-secondary education options (universities, ITS Academies) and job market trends. They collaborate with tutors to provide a complete picture of available opportunities, facilitating the match between students’ aspirations and the demands of the socio-economic context. In summary, while the tutor works on the student’s “self,” the guidance teacher works on connecting the student to the “outside world,” ensuring informed and conscious choices.

The Regulatory Context: PNRR and the Guidelines for Guidance

The introduction of the tutor teacher and guidance teacher is part of a specific regulatory framework, outlined by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and Ministerial Decree 328/2022. The PNRR, in its Mission 4 dedicated to “Education and Research,” has allocated significant funds to reform the school guidance system. The objective is twofold: to combat school dropout and to reduce the mismatch between the skills students acquire and those required by the job market, in line with European recommendations. The “Guidelines for Guidance” implement this vision, turning it into concrete actions.

These guidelines do not just establish new roles; they redesign guidance as a continuous process integrated into the curriculum. They call for at least 30 hours of formative guidance modules annually for all students, starting from middle school. This reform, funded with 150 million euros for the tutor and guidance teacher roles alone, marks a decisive step toward a school model that places the student and their life project at the center—a fundamental change for becoming a more effective teacher in 2025.

The Mandatory Training: The 20-Hour INDIRE Course

To enable teachers to take on these new roles, the Ministry of Education and Merit has entrusted INDIRE (National Institute for Documentation, Innovation and Educational Research) with designing and delivering a specific training course. This is a mandatory 20-hour course, delivered asynchronously via a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on the “Scuola Futura” platform. This training is a prerequisite for taking on the role, which is then formalized by the school principal.

The choice of an asynchronous online format ensures flexibility, allowing teachers to balance training with their teaching commitments. The course was designed to be the same for both tutors and guidance teachers, emphasizing the strong synergy between the two roles. The goal is to provide a common foundation of knowledge and tools, essential for implementing the new Guidelines for Guidance. At the end of the course, teachers must pass a final test to obtain a certificate of participation, a requirement for being appointed. The entire training framework is intended as a starting point, which will be enriched by support activities and communities of practice.

Structure and Modules of the Training Course

The “OrientaMenti” training course by INDIRE is structured into six distinct modules, designed to cover all theoretical and practical aspects of the new guidance system. Each module consists of short video lessons, supplementary materials, and self-assessment tests, for a total of 20 training hours. The approach combines the analysis of future scenarios with concrete operational tools for effective integration into daily teaching.

The course modules cover the following topics:

• Culture of Guidance: Introduces the meaning of guidance in the context of Agenda 2030, preparing teachers to manage uncertainty and promote a life project.
• Possible Futures and Professions: Explores emerging professional scenarios, linking them to the skills needed to face them.
• Tertiary Education System: Focuses on knowledge of post-secondary education offerings, with particular attention to Higher Technical Institutes (ITS Academies).
• The Guidance Process: Analyzes the figure of the tutor as a guide in the process and the phases for building a personal and professional project.
• Approaches to Teaching: Provides practical advice for guidance-oriented and inclusive teaching, in synergy with other tools already in use in schools.
• UNICA Platform and E-Portfolio: Offers knowledge and methodological elements for using digital tools, such as the Unica platform and the student’s E-Portfolio. This module is crucial for digital teaching management.

• Culture of Guidance: Introduces the meaning of guidance in the context of Agenda 2030, preparing teachers to manage uncertainty and promote a life project.
• Possible Futures and Professions: Explores emerging professional scenarios, linking them to the skills needed to face them.
• Tertiary Education System: Focuses on knowledge of post-secondary education offerings, with particular attention to Higher Technical Institutes (ITS Academies).
• The Guidance Process: Analyzes the figure of the tutor as a guide in the process and the phases for building a personal and professional project.
• Approaches to Teaching: Provides practical advice for guidance-oriented and inclusive teaching, in synergy with other tools already in use in schools.
• UNICA Platform and E-Portfolio: Offers knowledge and methodological elements for using digital tools, such as the Unica platform and the student’s E-Portfolio. This module is crucial for digital teaching management.

• Culture of Guidance: Introduces the meaning of guidance in the context of Agenda 2030, preparing teachers to manage uncertainty and promote a life project.
• Possible Futures and Professions: Explores emerging professional scenarios, linking them to the skills needed to face them.
• Tertiary Education System: Focuses on knowledge of post-secondary education offerings, with particular attention to Higher Technical Institutes (ITS Academies).
• The Guidance Process: Analyzes the figure of the tutor as a guide in the process and the phases for building a personal and professional project.
• Approaches to Teaching: Provides practical advice for guidance-oriented and inclusive teaching, in synergy with other tools already in use in schools.
• UNICA Platform and E-Portfolio: Offers knowledge and methodological elements for using digital tools, such as the Unica platform and the student’s E-Portfolio. This module is crucial for digital teaching management.

Skills Developed and Course Objectives

The main objective of the INDIRE course is to equip teachers with the necessary skills to act effectively as tutors and guidance teachers. The training aims to develop soft skills, such as effective communication, active listening, and empathy, which are essential for establishing a constructive dialogue with students and families. The goal is to transform the teacher from a mere transmitter of knowledge into a true mentor, capable of guiding young people in discovering their talents and passions.

Another key skill is the strategic use of digital tools. Teachers learn to use the UNICA platform for guidance and, above all, to support students in completing the E-Portfolio. This innovative digital tool allows students to document their journey, collecting significant experiences and reflecting on the skills acquired, including the personal “capolavoro” (masterpiece), a product chosen by the student as representative of their year. The ultimate goal is to promote self-awareness and self-assessment, making the student an active protagonist of their own choices. This professional growth path can also be a valuable addition to one’s resume, useful for increasing one’s score in the rankings.

Advantages and Challenges of the New Training

The introduction of training for tutor and guidance teachers offers undeniable advantages. First, it provides a structured and nationally consistent framework, ensuring that all involved teachers start from a common base of knowledge and tools. The availability of a dedicated platform, rich in resources and manuals, provides concrete support for daily work. The emphasis on personalization and the enhancement of talents represents a significant cultural evolution for the Italian school system, with the potential to have a direct positive impact on students’ lives by reducing demotivation and dropout rates.

However, challenges also emerge. The duration of only 20 hours has been considered by some to be insufficient to address the complexity of such delicate roles. The training, however well-designed, risks being just a first step that requires solid and continuous support over time. Another critical issue is the integration of these new functions into the existing school organization, which requires a rethinking of workloads and strong collaboration within class councils. The effectiveness of the reform will largely depend on the system’s ability to support these teachers not only with initial training but also throughout their professional path and probationary year.

Conclusions

The 20-hour training for tutor and guidance teachers, managed by INDIRE, is a fundamental pillar of the new guidance strategy in Italian schools. Born from the impetus of the PNRR and ministerial guidelines, this initiative marks a turning point, shifting the focus from sporadic guidance to a structured and continuous process. The goal is ambitious: to train educators who not only teach but also know how to guide, listen, and value each student, in a delicate balance between pedagogical tradition and digital innovation.

The roles of the tutor and guidance teacher are called to become the engines of a more inclusive and personalized school, capable of preparing young people not just for a job, but for building a solid life project. Although the challenges, such as the duration of the training and its integration into the system, are not negligible, the path taken is clear. This is a strategic investment in the country’s most precious human capital: its students. The success of this reform will depend on the ability of all stakeholders to transform this vision into an effective and heartfelt daily practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the tutor teacher and the guidance teacher?

The tutor teacher and the guidance teacher are two new professional roles introduced in Italian upper secondary schools by Ministerial Decree 328/2022. The tutor teacher supports a small group of students in their personal and educational growth, helping them recognize their talents and overcome difficulties. The guidance teacher, on the other hand, has a more strategic role: they collect and provide information on post-secondary education options and job market opportunities, collaborating with tutors to guide students toward informed choices.

What does the mandatory 20-hour training consist of?

The mandatory training is a 20-hour course delivered online by INDIRE, the National Institute for Documentation, Innovation and Educational Research. It is structured as an asynchronous MOOC and consists of six modules covering topics such as the culture of guidance, future professions, the tertiary education system, and the use of digital tools like the UNICA platform and the E-Portfolio. The course is a prerequisite for appointment and concludes with a final test to receive a certificate.

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What are the main objectives of these new roles?

The main objectives are linked to the guidance reform outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The new roles aim to reduce school dropout rates and improve students’ academic success. Additionally, they are tasked with fostering greater alignment between the skills acquired in school and those required by the world of work and higher education. In summary, they aim to make students active and conscious protagonists of their own educational and professional paths.

What is the E-Portfolio and what is the tutor’s role?

The E-Portfolio is an innovative digital tool available to every student on the UNICA platform. It is used to document the entire educational path, including not only academic results but also skills developed through extracurricular activities, certifications, and personal reflections. An important part is the “capolavoro” (masterpiece), a product chosen by the student as representative of their annual learning. The tutor teacher has the fundamental role of guiding and supporting the student in completing the E-Portfolio, helping them reflect on their journey and value their experiences.

Is the 20-hour training sufficient for these new roles?

This is a debated issue. The 20-hour training provides a common and structured foundation, introducing teachers to the key concepts, tools, and methodologies of the new guidance system. However, many experts and teachers believe that such a short training can only be a starting point, given the complexity of the roles. For this reason, the Ministry and INDIRE have planned further support activities, the creation of communities of practice, and continuous training paths to support teachers in the long term and ensure the reform’s effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions