Next Gen at Work. Stories of work told by those who do it

Over the last two years, the Salone has seen a 32.46% increase in student attendance, a sign of structural interest in a sector that integrates manufacturing, technological innovation and design culture. Next Gen at Work aims to bridge the gap with the labour market, providing a concrete picture of the skills required throughout the value chain: from design to production, sustainability to the supply chain, right through to communication and digital innovation. 

The project is curated by Green Design Days – an initiative promoted by Assarredo of FederlegnoArredo – in collaboration with the Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory and the Politecnico di Milano School of Design. Through direct testimonials from professionals working in companies across the sector, the initiative will explore jobs and professional roles within industrial manufacturing, outlining career paths, skills, tools, ongoing transformations and emerging opportunities.

The event – promoted by Green Design Days – will take place on Friday 24 April 2026, starting at 12:00 pm, at the SaloneSatellite Arena (Pavilion 7, Fiera Milano Rho), with a dedicated entrance and free access upon registration via the Green Design Days website. The day will be structured into three thematic sessions, interspersed with talks and meetings – the full programme will be available soon.
Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of professional voices and perspectives – from design to production, from sustainability to the supply chain, through to communication and technological innovation – with the aim of providing a clear and concrete understanding of the complexity and richness of the design value chain.

The initiative is aimed at students and educational institutions, with the goal of encouraging informed participation among younger generations and strengthening the link between education, research and the production system.

The Next Gen at Work project has been organised in close collaboration with the Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory, which, with the support of the Politecnico di Milano School of Design, will delve further into the subject of the evolution of skills and the role of the younger generations within the design system in the third edition of the Milan Design (Eco) System Annual Report (December 2026).