The training applied by the Employment Village and the Aleph method are revolutionary education techniques. It has also become the applied knowledge transfer tool at VDE. The result is palpable, as thousands of young people have been able to work in IT specializations regardless of their field of study. What are the training methods at the employment village?
Innovative training at the Employment Village
The Employment Village is an innovative training concept launched in 1998 by a consortium of companies in the IT sector. Its principle is based on the fact that young university graduates are not quite ready to enter the professional world. For a period, they took theoretical courses without ever managing to do real practice. They can even become a burden for the company that recruits him, because the person requires time to learn to be able to master all the procedures, methods and internal practices. This is why the employment village intervenes by offering training with high added value to young graduates. On the one hand, the “innovative” training will be provided by experts from the IT industry who know the workings of the trade. For the training to be more relevant, the young people are led to do exercises that concern a more specific area of study. Above all, the jargon used will be that applied in the professional world, as well as the tools, methods and professional title exercised by the person.
The Aleph method
Mathieu Sbai, external speaker at the Village de l’Emploi is one of the initiators of the Aleph method. It is a new training method which was launched in 2006, and which has already contributed to the success of young people, aged 12 to 15, to be able to obtain a scientific baccalaureate with honors.
The same approach has been adapted at Village de l’Emploi by rectifying innovative practices in the context of vocational training. The method used directs the participants a little more towards the practice, the procedures, the tools used in business, especially those which bring real added value. The leaders of this mission are experts who work in the IT sector. The duration of the apprenticeship lasts only 9 months and the winners who successfully complete the course in turn become specialists in a particular field. Students quickly learn company procedures in record time. Even after the training, the winners will immediately enter the professional world.
Why experiment the ALEPH method with young people?
For Mathieu Sbai, the ALEPH method is the best approach to integrating knowledge in such a short time. This method is based on the intelligence and knowledge of the target groups from an early age. From birth, toddlers already feel within them the desire to learn and memorize. Parents already see in them that they are more intelligent, awake and develop a capacity for understanding better than adults. The development of his personality even begins at 18 months, where they want to know everything, discover and invite to play. Then, at the age of 2, they become more and more curious, seek answers about all things. These natural abilities are ingrained from an early age. This is why they are able to memorize their environment and apprehend their first knowledge, those for a certain time. To properly anchor a training, you just have to respect the child’s learning pace. You have to give him confidence and show him the way, the skills and the knowledge. Sometimes it is necessary to play with the young person to strengthen the bond of trust that exists. It is within this framework that the ALEPH method was developed. An approach that highlights the essential points that allow the person to better understand the basics of training. Plus, learners don’t even have to be smart to start school at an early age. A guarantee that allows them to obtain a baccalaureate from the age of 12. It will be a great asset for them to follow a long university course.
The ALEPH method: an advantage
Applied, the ALEPH method provides advantages, because it is methodical, multidisciplinary and suitable for the current context. The participants find pleasure in adopting it, as well as among the trainers. Such an upgrade of the learning method:
– allows young people to live their childhoods, while acquiring knowledge;
– allows you to finish your studies earlier than expected and integrate the university system;
– gives you access to enter the professional world with the level of skills sought by companies;
– helps you retire very early.
The employment village is a private initiative
The creation of the employment village is an initiative funded by companies in the information system sector. They observed that new young graduates entering the professional world no longer meet the recruitment criteria sought. This is an alarming observation, because young people who have studied for years in renowned universities are stuck on research and theory. Only a few people have been able to access practices, which are insufficient and incomplete. To make up for the lack of skilled labour, “partner” companies finance the programme. Part of the financing will be devoted to the endowment of computer equipment, accessories used in the training and especially the salary of the trainers-experts who participate in the training of the winners.
These professionals intervene in the participants’ learning. The counterpart of this form of partnership is that the participating companies can choose from among the winners, the candidate they are looking for to strengthen their ranks. It is an obligation for the winners, and it is also the counterpart of the free training offered by the VDE system. If the partner companies invest a huge sum to train young people. It is to be well served with competent labour. At the end of the 9-month course, the winners will join a company for a paid internship of 3 years. Afterwards, they can decide to start alone or to continue their contract with a permanent contract.
The first mission of the Employment Village
For more than 22 years of existence, the primary mission of the Village de l’Emploi has been to improve the employability of young people in the IT sector. Nine months are enough for the experts at the Village de l’Emploi to guide young people towards jobs that require more responsibility. In addition to training, the majority of winners receive a promise of employment in companies of all sectors combined. Provided they pass the course, are diligent, and agree to demonstrate their skills during the three-year learning phase. Each of the winners receives personalized support and high-level supervision. It is in this context that the Employment Village is seen as a career facilitator, because young people who successfully complete the course are recruited as specialist apprentices. They will in turn demonstrate the level of skill sought in the profession. Their professional experience will grow exponentially to ensure succession. After a good course, they can also offer their skills as trainers to the village.
Training methods for the three learning phases
The method applied at the employment village represents the strength of this training centre. The course for the laureates is divided into three phases. The first phase is the development of operational skills. The second, communication coaching and the third, employment.
The learning phase or operational skills development phase prepares the candidate on the techniques for obtaining their first job. This first phase focuses on 3 study business lines, the business line, the project line and the technical line.
The business axis provides clarification on the different possible outlets for each business profile. A literary profile, for example, can integrate the banking sector, insurance, transport, mass distribution, etc.
The project axis trains the laureate on how to lead a construction site. Expert trainers will intervene on the ways of speaking in public, the techniques of communication in business, the role of each in the various milestones of the program and the way of managing a team in the information system component.
The technical axis is a learning phase of the different tools used in business, the software, the programming languages and the programs used to access the database.
The employment phase is the final accompaniment of the candidate until obtaining a CDI site contract. The mission of the employment village experts does not stop at the signing of a contract. The candidate benefits permanently from an upgrade and technical assistance.
Take advantage of free training
The Village de l’Emploi initiative is a success, as it has trained young graduates to land well-paid jobs. It is difficult for a person without experience to find a job in the IS sector. With the Village de l’Emploi, it is possible to get a job that meets your needs. If the candidate wants to start on his own account, he must reimburse the costs of the course at the VDE.
After only 9 months, it is quite possible to become an expert within the employment village. All you have to do is attend class and complete the 3-year construction contract. For the latter, the winner already benefits from a high salary, and will have the advantage of collaborating with other experts in a field. In addition to personalized support, the candidate thus benefits from the transfer of skills by the experts.
Who can participate in the program?
To join the training offered at the Village de l’Emploi, you must have a bac+2 level diploma. Whatever your geographical origin, you can register with the employment village. After registration, a guidance counselor studies the candidate’s educational background and determines which course is best suited for the person. Once the candidate joins his group, he must commit to honoring his presence during the 9 months of study. After the training, the village ensures the professional integration of the candidate with a partner company.