On Thursday, November 28, 2024, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Lot-et-Garonne is organizing the very first edition of the Orientation Night, a unique event in the department, but which has existed for several years in other French territories. This meeting, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Monky in Estillac, aims to guide young people in their career path, while responding to local issues in terms of training and recruitment.
An identified need, a proposed solution
The idea for this event was launched after noting the absence of such an event in Lot-et-Garonne, a lack that Yannick Villeneuve, Director General of the CCI47, highlighted as being crucial for the department. It was therefore Pauline Castex, communications manager, and Alexia de Brondeau, director of business support, who took the initiative to set up this original evening, in partnership with many local actors.
Orientation Night stands out for its fun and immersive approach. “ We put ourselves in the place of young people to present to them in a fun place the sectors which recruit in the region and the educational structures leading to qualifications. », Explains Frédéric Péchavy, president of the CCI47. This innovative concept aims to de-dramatize and even “ decomplexify » orientation, a process that can sometimes seem stressful for young people who have to make decisions earlier and earlier.
An event for all profiles
The objective is clear: to offer middle and high school students a platform to explore careers, interact with professionals and discover training adapted to their aspirations. This meeting is not limited to a simple presentation of training, it also allows young people to directly confront professions in virtual reality or through discussions with passionate professionals. “ An evening meeting representative of the local sectors », adds Frédéric Péchavy. It is an opportunity for young people to think outside the box, to project themselves into professions that are often little known but which are recruiting, such as the agri-food industry, transport or cybersecurity. Alongside this evening, a meeting time is planned for parents with a conference dedicated to their role in the guidance of their children. “ De-dramatizing guidance also reassures parents, who have legitimate expectations in the face of their children's sometimes difficult choices. », underlines Pauline Castex.
A region in search of young talents
In Lot-et-Garonne, the question of recruitment is particularly crucial. According to Frédéric Péchavy, “ the general trend is that the territory lacks qualified labor, particularly in senior management professions.“. The event also responds to the need to retain young people on site, to counter the demographic difficulties of the department. Orientation, in this context, becomes a strategic lever to maintain and develop local talents.
But the problem of recruitment is not limited to the question of professions alone. It is also about solving practical problems, such as mobility or access to housing, which can slow down the careers of many young people. “ Finding guidance solutions for young people in Lot-et-Garonne also allows them to overcome obstacles such as lack of mobility », explains Alexia de Brondeau.
An immersive and interactive evening
Orientation Night will be much more than a simple training fair. Through virtual reality headsets, young people will be able to immerse themselves in professional environments to discover concretely what it means to work in different sectors. This very modern and interactive approach aims to make the orientation more accessible and less abstract for participants. The event also plans fun activities to capture the attention of young people: games, tokens to win, and even the possibility of participating in the recording of Web Radio Campus 47, will allow young people to have fun while learning . The exhibitors present at the Orientation Night will offer visitors a wide range of possibilities: from artificial intelligence to sustainable development, including the agri-food industry, defense professions and even the finance and transport sectors. . More than 40 professionals and organizations will be present to discuss and answer young people's questions. Local players such as the University of Bordeaux, the Information and Orientation Center (CIO), or companies like Prodiaa, Boncolac and Sud'n Sol, will also be there.
