The Air Liquide Foundation and the Apprentis d'Auteuil: positive results for the professional integration of young people!

Left to right: Maxence DÉLIE (CEFI), Mickael LEFEVRE (Tutor TH¹, ALSF² Subsidiary), Thomas DELPORTE (Apprentice), Emre CEKIC (Apprentice), Hakim MAHAMDI (Tutor TH¹, ALSF² Subsidiary), Gaële BRANDEHO (CEFI)

The Foundation supported the Apprentis d'Auteuil's national Skola program³ . It enabled 4 unemployed young people to obtain their certification as heating and sanitary fitters after an 18-month training course accompanied by an Air Liquide volunteer tutor.

A cross-section of apprentices, their tutor and CEFI⁴ .

For 15 months, you tutored young apprentices. What was your day-to-day role?

Hakim Mahamdi - Site coordinator at Technologies Hospitalières - Center-east region
We taught him the technical basics of our trade, including the use of tools, as well as many theoretical aspects related to standards. Then we helped him to progress. I've seen Emre's skills grow, first with small tasks, then with more substantial assignments.

Mickael Lefevre - Medical Fluid Distribution System Fitter at Technologies Hospitalières - North-east region
I completely agree with Hakim's feelings, as I was able to accompany Thomas on his daily tasks and guide him on the technical aspects of the job. After several months, he has become a fully-fledged colleague.

What have you gained from this experience?

Hakim Mahamdi 
This experience has enriched me personally and professionally. We had to get to know each other and find the right rhythm, because looking after apprentices takes time every day, but we soon found a good balance. For my part, it's been enjoyable thanks to some great apprentices who have made my job easier. What motivates me in this mission is passing on my knowledge and helping young people discover my profession.

Mickael Lefevre
Like Hakim, I really appreciated the human aspect of this experience: training and passing on the values of the trade to apprentices. It also enabled me to question the way I work and pass on my know-how. I was very proud to train Thomas and to tell my family that I was supporting an apprentice. Now, I see him as a teammate.

"What motivated me in this mission was to pass on my knowledge and help young people discover my profession.”

How would you rate your training? 

Emre - Apprentice
I'm happy because during my training with TH I took part in a project from start to finish. I was able to see all the stages of the Medical Fluid Distribution Systems (MFDS) fitting trade during the installation of a new hospital building.
It's a delicate field because you're in contact with patients and you know that your job helps them directly during their stay in hospital. I hope to find a job in this sector in the future.

Thomas - Apprentice
After a fairly long period of unemployment, I was offered this thermal and sanitary installer training with Pôle Emploi and was selected to join the program.
The training went well. The support and encounters were very beneficial throughout. My CEFI was there to help me when I had difficulties, and with the other young apprentices, we also helped each other to move forward and complete the program.
First of all, I want to get my diploma and continue working in this sector, which I really enjoy. 

What was your role and mission as CEFI on this project?

Gaële Brandeho - CEFI at Pôle Avenir Emploi Rhône des Apprentis d'Auteuil - Center-east region
I'm in charge of socio-professional support for young people. I help them to understand the codes of work and business until they find a job. I also act as an intermediary between the young people and the company when there are difficulties. I helped them find their last internship, to write their CVs, find the company and I took part in the follow-up to the internship. Seeing them all on placement was very satisfying and gratifying for me.

Maxence Délie - CEFI at Pôle Avenir Emploi des Apprentis d'Auteuil - North-east region 
Joining the national Skola program with the Air Liquide group, as a CEFI, was a new challenge for me. My role was to pre-select candidates willing to leave their region and commit to a long training course. While some apprentices have left the program, Thomas has stuck with it, and despite the difficulties he's encountered, he's always been able to bounce back. It's a source of pride to see him here today, and to see the personal and professional growth he achieved during his training.