Tuscany hospitality sector faces labor shortages as new culinary training opens

The tourism and catering sectors in Tuscany are facing a sustained demand for skilled personnel, extending beyond the peak summer season. In the province of Livorno, data from the Excelsior Information System indicates that businesses planned 8,030 entries for the July-September 2026 quarter, with 2,920 of those in accommodation, catering, and tourism services.

For the week of September 6-12, 2026, there were 2,048 open positions across Tuscany, specifically highlighting a need for 79 hotel and restaurant cooks and 71 waiters. Federico Pieragnoli, General Director of Confcommercio Provincia di Livorno, noted that the continued demand in September suggests a structural mismatch between labor supply and demand rather than a seasonal emergency.

In response to these labor needs, CIOFS-FP Toscana has opened registrations for a free “Kitchen Technician” course in Livorno. Aimed at individuals under 29 who have already completed a three-year professional qualification, the 990-hour program runs from October 2026 to June 2027. The curriculum includes 580 hours of theory and laboratory work, alongside 400 hours of internships within local businesses, leading to a Level IV EQF professional diploma.