Aiming to attract young talent to the industrial sector, Industry Week will feature 7,400 events in France from November 18 to 24. With a goal of reshaping perceptions, activities will include factory tours and job dating events. The industry faces significant recruitment challenges, needing 1.3 million workers in the next decade, yet current training programs fall short. The initiative also emphasizes diversity, particularly encouraging female participation in technical roles through targeted outreach and site visits.
Revamping the Image of Industrial Careers
The challenge of attracting young talent to the industrial sector is not a new phenomenon. Recent statistics from Insee reveal that in 2022, a staggering 67% of manufacturing companies experienced difficulties in recruiting skilled workers. The industry is projected to require an additional 1.3 million employees over the next decade, necessitating the training of 200,000 individuals annually. In stark contrast, only about 60,000 are currently being trained. To confront this pressing issue, the thirteenth edition of Industry Week is set to launch on Monday, spearheaded by Marc Ferracci, the Minister of Industry, and organized by the General Directorate of Enterprises. The primary goal is to reshape the perceptions that young people hold regarding careers in this field.
A Week of Opportunities and Engagement
To make a significant impact, a remarkable 7,400 events will take place across France from November 18 to 24, a substantial increase from the 5,500 events held last year. The organizers are optimistic about repeating the success of last year’s edition, which attracted over 2 million participants. The lineup includes company showcases, guided tours of factories, and innovative activities such as escape games themed around industrial scenarios and “job dating” events that mimic speed dating for job seekers.
Highlighting the week’s offerings, students from high schools and universities will have the chance to tour the Arabelle Solutions facility in Belfort, renowned for producing the most advanced turbines and alternators for the nuclear sector. The Duralex factory in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin will open its doors to display the production of its iconic French glassware. Additionally, the Louvre Lens will welcome students to explore the industrial job landscape of the Mining Basin through interactive workshops, games, and presentations by educational institutions and companies. On Friday, Marc Ferracci will host “Bercy does its industry,” featuring a series of talks where engineering professionals and business leaders share their career journeys.
Industry Week serves not only to create interest in industrial careers but also to foster diversity within the sector. Traditional perceptions continue to overshadow industrial jobs, often depicted as labor-intensive and monotonous. However, advancements in automation and digital technology have substantially transformed the nature of these roles, making them more technical and less strenuous. Notably, the industry offers permanent contracts for 90% of its positions and typically presents salaries that are 20% higher than those in the service sector for equivalent qualifications.
As recruitment pressures mount, it is crucial to dispel these outdated views and showcase the true nature of industrial careers. Recent data from DARES indicates that the number of unfilled positions in the industry has surged, doubling from 20,000 in 2020 to 60,000 in 2023. Furthermore, the Metallurgy Observatory reports that vocational training programs currently only meet 50% of the recruitment demands for certain skilled trades, including boilermakers, welders, and maintenance technicians.
Another vital aspect of Industry Week is its commitment to promoting diversity in the workforce. According to Insee, women made up only 28.5% of the industrial workforce in 2022, predominantly occupying support roles such as human resources and marketing, with fewer in technical positions. This week will feature targeted initiatives aimed at inspiring female students, such as site visits organized by the association Elles bougent to spotlight female employees at companies like Siemens, Alstom, and Renault. Additionally, the engineering firm Artelia will provide special invitations for female students to encourage them to embark on careers in technical and scientific fields.