Apple is opening its first European iOS App Development Centre in Italy, to give students practical skills and training on developing apps for the iOS ecosystem.

The iOS App Development Centre, to be located at a partner institution in Naples, will support teachers and provide a specialised curriculum preparing future developers to be part of Apple’s developer community. In addition, Apple said it will work with partners around Italy who deliver developer training to complement the curriculum and create additional opportunities for students. Apple also said it plans to expand the program to other countries.

“Europe is home to some of the most creative developers in the world,” said Apple CEO, Tim Cook. “The phenomenal success of the App Store is one of the driving forces behind the more than 1.4m jobs Apple has created in Europe, and presents unlimited opportunities for people of all ages and businesses of all sizes across the continent.”