the essential
The integration project at the Jesuit Chapel ended with the renovation of the floor of the Carcassonne building. Supported on several levels by the Amicale Laïque, the eight employees carried out meticulous work to resolve this problem which had become dangerous for welcoming the public.
Job done. Eight employees in professional integration, aged 21 to 40, have just finished renovating the floor of the Jesuit Chapel in Carcassonne. Mandated by the town hall and Patrick Hoffmann (Heritage Department), they were supported in their work by the Amicale Laïque.
A problem solved
During this work, the employees took care of the stone paths and restored them. “Pebbles had been removed, it created holes. They had to be filled in. When welcoming the public and giving concerts, it had become dangerous.”underlines Alain Samama, their technical supervisor. He explains the work carried out on this paving: “We wedged the stones together. The joints were made with lime. We then watered them every day for two weeks to harden the joints.”
An important action for a problem solved at the start of summer. While the activities are varied, these workers, whose gender parity is always sought among them, are mainly concerned with the renovation of old buildings, respond to the needs of individuals and maintain green spaces. Other projects, such as a bench at a private home, the Carcassonne aqueduct or even on the site of the Lastours castle, will punctuate the coming days.
Social, professional and technical support
The eight employees present on this integration project work 26 hours per week, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the summer. But for this, they are accompanied by the Amicale Laïque de Carcassonne. A minibus picks them up from rue de Verdun to take them to the different projects. Then, Alain Samama takes care of helping them “on the ground”, particularly on the technical side, so that they “gain confidence in themselves and sometimes get advice”the aim being to “make them independent”.
This objective is also that of Marie Monteuuis, professional integration advisor within the Amicale Laïque. She intervenes in the social and professional support for the employees of the integration site, as well as in the management of the sites on which they come to intervene. “I meet with them every two weeks for an interview on their professional project. I take care of the administrative procedures for all things in life and their ‘work experience periods’. (PMSMP, their internship(s), Editor’s note:). The internship can confirm what they want to do later. It can also allow me to find training for them. My goal is to make them independent with regard to companies.”
