The training platform is a 150 m2 apartment located in the heart of La Paillade, in Montpellier. And each room is used for life-size hands-on work by neighborhood youth who have joined the program. “Building Geeks” launched in 2022 by the Impala Avenir Foundation. A short paid educational course lasting four months to master basic knowledge in three construction disciplines : electricity, plumbing and internal envelope (such as tiles or stoneware).
Short and paid training
Maüs Miakoudama, 22, started higher studies, but the desire to enter working life as quickly as possible led him to this system. He is a member of the first class in Montpellier, around ten young people, and now he knows what he wants to do: become an electrician. Especially since it is a very promising industry, he jokingly admits, “We’re not ready to go without electricity. I don’t know when that will happen, but we’re not ready yet.”
Electricity, plumbing, tiling or painting
Salim Rafia, 18 years old, really appreciated the very principle of this training, “We test all the disciplines quickly and get an idea of the profession we want to pursue later. It goes faster.” He chose plumbing. Before that, he regularly faced the same problem: “I was criticized in interviews for my lack of experience, but now the problem is solved.”.
“We know that when we have 7% unemployment in France, the unemployment of young people in the priority neighborhoods of the city (QPV) reaches more than 30%, sometimes 40%”, notes Florian du Boÿs, one of the founders of Impala Avenir, “the idea is to precisely identify these young people and train them in these finishing trades in the neighborhood”.
Half a billion project
The outlook in Montpellier is very favorable since “The Mosson-Paillade district is one of the main urban renewal projects in France, with more than 540 million euros to renovate” recalls Florian du Boÿs. A real blessing for the trained students who will be able to participate in this major operation. In Montpellier, the Impala Avenir Foundation joined forces with Chamber of Commerce AND Altemed (which combines development and social housing in the metropolis of Montpellier), which should also be an intermediary here.
Neighborhood affected by unemployment
The Paillade school is the twentieth of its kind in France. According to Florian du Boÿs, “This program has excellent results with 80% of young people either going into work or opting for work study programs or pre-vocational contracts.” The first two trainings are financed by the Occitanie region in the amount of 85,000 euros. The next session starts in September 2024.