Like the other young people selected for the competition for one of the best apprentices in France, Sufian Abu, a student at the Sixte-Vignon high school, was honored by the prefecture where his work was exhibited. A reward for an extraordinary career.
With his medal firmly held in his fist, Sufian Abu finally abandons his shyness and restraint, giving way to a broad smile that betrays a legitimate pride. This student from Sixte-Vignon high school has just taken part in the One of the Best Apprentices of France 2024 competition, winning two silver medals, at the departmental and regional levels.
NR – ANDY BARREJOT
Because Sufian arrived in France four years ago, as an unaccompanied minor, from Bangladesh, at the age of 15. “There were too many problems there,” he said soberly in widely audible French. “I came here alone. It was hard at the beginning, but today it’s better.” Sufian first studied at Paul Eluard college, within UPE2A, the educational unit for arriving allophone students. Then he joined the Sixte-Vignon high school, for a first CAP in heating, then a second in sanitation, this time alternating with the company Atelier JVT in Andrest. A company where he will continue his career, perfecting his training with a third CAP, this time in air conditioning. “Sofian is a boy who is always present, who does meticulous, careful work, says his workshop teacher, Arnaud Chouquet. This year, to participate in the MAF competition, he took his personal time to work on his model, when the other candidates in continuing education could do it on their own time. That didn’t stop him from working more.”
200 hours of work on his model
In total, nearly 200 hours spent on this model which incorporates all the standards of a real piece of plumbing and a sanitary installation, with a dedication to the imposed theme, the Olympic Games. A cutting-edge piece which earned Sufian two silver medals in the MAF competition and takes pride of place this Tuesday evening in the prefecture’s salons. “I’m very happy, it’s an honor, even if I would have liked gold,” admits the young man. “I’m learning a lot of things here, every day. At the beginning it was complicated with the language. I’m progressing Again.” Talents and skills that Sufian Abu puts to good use within Atelier JVT. “He’s been with us for a year and we’re really happy to have him in our team,” says Vincent Arnould, the director of the company who also employs an Afghan trained seven years ago. Sufian is a young professional ambitious and full of good will, it’s important to promote these complicated paths and these people who want to work and are thirsty to learn.” And to build a future in France.
