Because of industrial underdevelopment and massive illiteracy, vocational education did not feature in the Italian political agenda during the so-called "liberal period". However, politicians analyzed several European vocational models in order to adjust them to the national context. The paper deals with the way Italian politicians tried to adapt European vocational models to local demands and national problems. It is based on archival as well as bibliographical sources. Key words: Vocational education, Workers’ education, Post-elementary schools, International Expositions
Keywords: Istruzione professionale, Istruzione per i lavoratori, Scuole postelementari, Esposizioni internazionali