Association l'Afev - France

Support young people in the development of the life skills they need to be part of the business world

The "Apprentis Solidaires" project run by the Association de la fondation étudiante pour la ville (Afev) is helping 50 young people in Metz to acquire the life skills they need to work in a company. By committing them to community service missions in the form of civic service volunteers, AFEV facilitates the integration of these young people into the world of work, and responds to companies' difficulties in recruiting young people for apprenticeships.

Credit: Afev
Credit: Afev
Credit: Afev

Inequalities in access to apprenticeships

Apprenticeship is one of the keys to success and a real passport to employment. Aimed at young people aged 16 to 29, it's a way of learning that combines practical experience (working on the job, for example) with theoretical training, delivered on a work-study programme.

However, many applicants are unable to secure a contract with a company, and so are unable to start their training. Young people without diplomas are largely under-represented.

The "Apprentis solidaires" program, a lever for the integration of young people without qualifications

To make apprenticeships accessible to young people with no qualifications, AFEV has developed "Apprentis Solidaires", an apprenticeship preparation program built in close collaboration with its partners, designed to enable young people who have dropped out of school or are at a loss of direction to benefit from an apprenticeship preparation program.

This preparation, approved by the Ministry of Labor since 2019, prepares classes of 10 young people to sign apprenticeship contracts with AFEV partner companies, at the end of a six-month preparation period.

10 young people per promotion

850 young people supported since 2018

Making apprenticeships accessible to young people

For 6 months, young "Solidarity Apprentices" commit to AFEV (mainly in the form of Civic Service) and follow a program that includes :

Solidarity missions to develop your skills around different themes: ecology (workcamps, vegetable gardening...), solidarity (food distribution), social links (working with isolated people), heritage (building renovation...).
Training: workshops on basic skills, first aid, health workshops, etc.
Discover careers through work experience placements, CFA visits...

At the end of these 6 months, young people who so wish can benefit from mentoring to help them integrate into their future company.

Each class is made up of 10 young people and coordinated by an Afev professional.

"I was able to regain my self-confidence, learn to manage my stress, learn more about myself and my abilities. At AFEV, I felt like I had a little family: everyone shows solidarity, helps and supports each other."

Kévin, 17, a beneficiary

Afev

Consult their site

What the Air Liquide Foundation does

The Air Liquide Foundation finances the supervision of the young people, training, travel for the young people and their supervisor for worksite or company visits, and the purchase of safety equipment.

The project is sponsored by the Manager of the Grande-Synthe Air industrial site.