The stonemason: the craft that sculpts the future

Why becoming a stonemason today is a winning choice

In a fast-changing world, there are trades that, while rooted in a thousand-year-old tradition, are more relevant than ever. One of these is that of the stonemason. It is not just about carving stone: it means shaping the spaces we live in, contributing to architectural projects of excellence, working with natural materials that combine beauty, sustainability and innovation.

Yet today marble workshops are struggling to find trained personnel. Generational change is urgent, and the lack of qualified professionals risks slowing down the activity of an entire production district: that of Verona, one of the most important in the world for working natural stone. Over 700 companies, 4,000 employees and an international trade fair such as Marmomac testify to the strength and relevance of this sector, which exports know-how and products all over the world.

A school to build the future of young people

For those who love to work with their hands but also with their heads, for those who dream of a concrete and creative trade, for those who are looking for a training path that really opens the doors to the world of work, there is a school that can make the difference: the Marble School, at the Salesian Institute San Zeno in Verona, located in Sant'Ambrogio - Valpolicella.

The "Marble Enhancement and Automation Technician" course is a four-year vocational training course, free of charge and recognised by the Veneto Region, that combines craftsmanship skills and state-of-the-art technology. A perfect mix to prepare professional figures capable of facing the challenges of Industry 4.0 in the marble sector.

Learning the stonemason's trade by working

Imagine a job where matter takes shape thanks to the skilled and competent hands of a person, who every day contributes to creating something eternal, beautiful to look at and useful to live with. This person is the stonemason: an evolved craftsman, capable of combining manual skill and innovation, technical precision and aesthetic taste, sustainability and architecture.

The vocational path of the Sant'Ambrogio Marble School is cutting-edge, and is strongly linked to the world of work, designed to prepare young people for the trades most in demand in our industry.

Two addresses are available:

• Mechanical operator on CNC machines: for those fascinated by precision and technology.

• Artistic processing operator: for those who want to express their creativity by sculpting stone.

During the course, students acquire skills in the use of design software and CNC machinery for stone processing. They learn to recognise the characteristics of different materials, to read architectural plans, to manage work safety and to work in a team.

These are all skills that are in demand today by companies in the stone industry, which are ready to welcome motivated and prepared young people. It is no coincidence that, at the end of the training course, employment rates are among the highest compared to other school courses.

The training pathway provides a three-year qualification recognised at European level (EQF 3) and a possible fourth year to obtain a vocational diploma.

What makes this course special is the strong link with local companies: the boys and girls learn not only in the classroom but also in the well-equipped laboratories, and thanks to the training periods, they can immediately put the acquired skills into practice, coming into direct contact with companies in the district. Many students find jobs even before they graduate.

The stonemason: a craft that combines concreteness, beauty and innovation

Becoming a stonemason today means participating in a rapidly evolving sector, it means collaborating in industrial transformation, where sustainability has become a concrete, everyday value. Stone professionals today are protagonists of green projects, environmental recovery, circular economy and contemporary design. They work in companies that export all over the world and develop innovative solutions to reuse waste or contribute to the environmental recovery of quarries.

Working in marble means entering an industry that is constantly evolving. It means contributing with one's work to important projects, sometimes international, and carrying forward a cultural and economic heritage that the whole world envies us. Working in marble means bringing beauty into architectural projects, contributing to the durability of spaces and giving shape to materials that tell the story of the Earth. But above all it means leaving a mark, in cities, in homes, in people's lives.

Consorzio Marmisti Valpantena believes in young people

As a consortium, we have always supported education as the key to the future. And we actively cooperate with the Marble School, offering opportunities for internships, company visits and orientation courses. Because we believe that investing in young people means guaranteeing continuity and innovation in our sector.

This is why, as the Consortium of Valpantena Marbleworkers, we wholeheartedly support the path of the San Zeno Salesian Institute. We want to encourage families and young people to consider this path as a real opportunity for the future.