“Cité des Métiers”

An informal point of encounter provides advice and information on careers and profession for people from different backgrounds who are seeking a job or are yearning to put themselves to the test again. This, in brief, is the philosophy of the “Cité des Métiers”, (City of Craft). The project was launched in Paris in 1993 and gradually spread across Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Italy) and throughout the world (Brazil, Canada, Chile and Ile Maurice Republic). 24 Cités des Métiers were founded In sixteen years of activity in the Old Continent. Fourteen are located in France, seven in Italy, one in Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The initiatives are marked by ongoing success. In fact, the 25th European Cité des Métiers will be inaugurated in La Rochelle in France next November 12-13. Many hands make light work. Given the current changing employment situation, while people change many careers in the course of their lifetime, the project’s French creators envisaged a virtual space where various local public and private partners could share their skills, resources and advice. The initiative is addressed to all those who seek information and advice for vocational training and professional programs. It resulted in a success. The initiative was reproduced and adapted to the various local realities. The exchange of information between the various “Cités” is the network’s added value that through the website www.reseaucitesdesmetiers.com is constantly enriched with European and international Cities’ network data and contacts , while news on initiatives promoted by the European network flow in the website’s side window. Access is free and open to all: young people, adults and students, people who have had professional experience, those seeking a new job, foreigners, disabled, employed, unemployed, disadvantaged people (over 40, person in mobility etc.) The central office is in Paris and is run by French, Spanish and Italian staff. A close network of relations. All Cities of Craft are designed to provide European citizens with a series of services enabling them to address the rapid transformations in the job market, which often demand more knowledge and skill than individuals could attain with their own means alone. Another aspect of the Cities’ activity is to provide career guidance and assistance, identifying the path that best suits the users’ professional goals. The Cities of Craft address all areas of professional life and involve a large number of users in a framework of cooperation and networking. For example, if needed, career guidance may be sought in conjunction with labor consultancy. An open network. It’s possible to set up a City of Craft. An International Committee is tasked with granting of the “City of Craft” label, an authorization and quality seal testifying to the eligibility of the new structure. In each City a consultancy service offers project creation and development support, aid for research and helps coordinate the involvement of business partners, advice in the definition of the budget, presentation and opening of contacts with the international network, visits to the European Cité des Métiers, tutoring and support in project submittance to the International Label Committee, refresher courses, technical assistance, and once the label is granted, the Committee supports the project from the initial phase to its completion. Mobility week. By the first decade of October the European Citè des Metiers network will be promoting a series of meetings that focus on the theme of mobility. The meetings include seminars and information workshop on working or vocational training opportunities in Europe. A chart displaying events, organizers’ names and contact details can be consulted by logging on www.reseaucitesdesmetiers.com.