Empowering Children in Technical and Technological Professions: A Solution to Wallonia’s Workforce Challenges

2023-08-27 04:00:00

“Dare to put children in a technical and technological sector.”

The challenge for Wallonia today is the lack of arms… What can you do?

“We have strengthened the Worldskills project because we are convinced that we must honor technical and technological professions. These are important sectors for young enthusiasts. You can thrive there. Today, still too often, parents direct their child elsewhere or avoid technical courses… They still too often think that it is a matter of relegation. With Minister Willy Borsus, we focused on these professions. We also want to remind parents of the interest for girls in scientific professions, which are also highly remunerative in general, and which allow a reconciliation of private and professional life and telecommuting. »

But is the evil deep?

“A young electro-mechanic reminded me once more today that it was his dream to do it and that he had difficulty convincing his parents. Last week, a parent came to find me to tell me that he had steered his child towards law, at uni, where he did two years… and at 20, this youngster left to do electromechanics and he is happy. The parents recognized that they were perhaps a little conditioned. »

The observation is always the same and, as a minister, you cannot go into each house to convince the parents… What to do concretely?

“Parents shouldn’t hesitate to go to Startech’s Days or talk to other parents who have children in technical trades. They can realize that one can have a fulfilling life in this type of profession. Parents should share their positive experience. »

What message would you like to convey to them through the 7th Sunday?

“I also believe that the vision of these trades is truncated in many families.

As a machining technician, parents still have the impression that it’s a job where you’re always dirty… when that’s no longer the case. You have to say it, see it on the spot. Same thing in garages, especially with the end of heat engines…”

V.Li.

“Raising awareness among children from 10 to 12 years of age regarding trades right from school”

V.Li.

How to make young people discover the innumerable trades and the jobs in shortage?

“We have the Cités des métiers, which can receive students, job seekers… But above all, we must better target children aged 10 to 12. We must act at the source, on primary and secondary students, with job fairs in schools. We must also be more fun, more attractive to young people. For example, the Cités des métiers will have 3D glasses to allow young people to project themselves into the trades. »

Can Forem really put people back to work?

“We carried out a titanic reform of Forem to improve coaching and personalized follow-up. It is not a simple counter to search for a job and answer the question of people without a job. We tell them that we are employment specialists. We validate skills so that people have the required diplomas. We are also working on the equivalence of diplomas. »

How to avoid dropping out of young people?

“We are going to launch a specific site for 18-25 year olds at Forem level, so that they can be put to work as quickly as possible. They will be able to discover clear advice. We must encourage young people to ask for career advice, to screen their profile, to put their CV online. You can prepare for job interviews with free role-playing games at Forem. When they finish their studies, they don’t all have the keys to immediately finding a job. »

And to get an appointment quickly?

“We reformed that too. We want to be more responsive. People can get advisors faster online via video. They can get advice without waiting 15 days. »

A success to remember, Coup de Boost: a reintegration rate of 70%

The Forem and the Walloon economic situation can still have a rather gloomy image with the general public. Do you have a success that we might highlight?

“We have several successes at different levels. I can, for example, tell you regarding Operation Coup de Boost. We have very interesting reintegration rates, around 70% for the 760 people followed. It is aimed at young people, who are often poorly qualified or who have been unemployed for a long time following difficult life paths: today, nearly one out of two young people supported within the Coup de Boost project is remobilized towards the labor market (employment, start of qualifying training or resumption of studies) upon leaving the project. We will go from 2 branches – located in Charleroi and Mons in 2016 – to 10 branches from this month of September (Arlon, Namur, Liège, La Louvière, Tournai, Verviers and Huy) with the opening of the Nivelles platform . An FSE + subsidy, complementary to the recovery plan, will also make it possible to open a branch in Marche and Couvin by 2025.

Do you really believe it, then?

“My political responsibility is to reduce the long-term unemployed. I also have to work to follow up with people early enough so that they don’t drop out. After three months without work, there is already a form of devaluation of the person. So we have to act very quickly. »

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