42 Firenze: Bridging Innovation and Tradition in the Heart of Florence
Renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, Florence is one of Europe’s most visited cities. With landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Michelangelo square or world-famous museums such as the Uffizi gallery, it also boasts an unparalleled architectural wealth. Thus, it does not come as a surprise that 42 Firenze is located in a prominent historical building of the city-center. Having been in operation for over 2 years, this campus aims to provide new coding education opportunities in Italy, and more specifically in Tuscany, the region around Florence.
Launched in 2022, 42 Firenze is located in the Granaio dell’Abbondanza, a 17th century granary that was recently refurbished and repurposed as an innovation center by Fondazione CR Firenze. The campus is part of a wider tech ecosystem, as the building also hosts Nana Bianca, a co-working space dedicated to digital start-ups. While the project of creating a 42 campus in Florence was originally spearheaded by LUISS, 42 Firenze is now entirely supported by Fondazione CR Firenze, a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to promote social, cultural, and economic development in Tuscany.
While 42’s No-teacher/No-classes/No-lectures approach originally raised scepticism in Italy’s rather conservative educational landscape, academics have gradually warmed up to the concept, with some going as far as joining the Piscine to carry out research projects on the model. “Researchers from the University of Florence have studied the 42 model as a learning method in software programming. Additionally, a pedagogy student is exploring the 42 method for her thesis, investigating its applicability to other subjects.” Chiara Mannoni, head of the 42 Firenze campus, tells us.
While 42 Firenze doesn’t yet offer RNCP certifications, a lot of the campus’ graduates have been successful in the job market. “We have just above 40 students who have finished the Common Core and over 50 are currently employed […] Regarding internships, our campus also has a 100% placement rate within 6 months of finishing 42.” — Chiara Mannoni. Such encouraging results have helped build up the brand’s credibility, and now, companies are coming back for more.
Indeed, many of these companies now organize projects, spanning several months, involving 42 Firenze students. Aimed at solutioning practical or structural issues that these companies are facing, these projects gather students above level 9, giving them a glimpse into corporate work as they collaborate in teams, provide weekly updates, and more. “This format allows companies to assess candidates over two months, often leading to direct hires. These partnerships mainly involve large firms (200+ employees, high revenue).” — Chiara Mannoni comments. 42 Firenze students also remain drawn to start-ups and entrepreneurship.
With these foundations firmly laid, 42 Firenze now aims to increase its number of applicants, strengthen its corporate relations, and increase its visibility and awareness nationally. “The Piscine experience at 42 Firenze is designed to foster a positive and collaborative environment. Candidates are invited to join various clubs and student-led activities, immersing them further into the school’s ecosystem. This integration not only enhances their learning experience but also helps them become an integral part of the 42 Firenze community” — Chiara Mannoni concludes.
