Knowledge is power - Packaging

Knowledge is power

Monday afternoon saw the awards ceremony for the dozen trainees taking the joint qualification certificate in metalwork at Sotralentz in Drulingen.

The joint qualification certificate in metalwork (certificat de qualification paritaire de la métallurgie - CQPM) recognises the attainment of professional skills, and certifies the adaptation of employees to evolutions in working practice and duties. To benefit from this training, Sotralentz selected men and women from the local region, of varying ages and with differing levels of previous training. They were all jobseekers, registered with the ANPE, pursuing professional and social integration through the very latest training.

Certificate created this year for boilermakers

As the employment inspector in attendance on Monday for the awards ceremony rightly told the graduates, “you can be proud of this qualification in fundamental skills which will always be required”. The Sarre-Union Georges-Imbert Lycée and the Northern Alsace GRETA supported this initiative. The Union of Metalworking Industries and Trades (Union des Industries et Métiers de la Métallurgie - UIMM) of the Lower Rhine is in charge of setting up and overseeing completion of the qualification tests. The CQPM was introduced in Sotralentz in Drulingen four years ago for welders, and this year for boilermakers. Éric Daliguet, director of human resources, and Jacques Ducaruge, managing director, explained that “these people have no qualifications as welders or fitters. But what they do have is a strong desire to work and to learn a trade they will be able to use here afterwards.” The apprentices take accreditation tests, which are validated using the role-playing recruitment method and without taking account of other criteria. Sotralentz has also signed the national charter on diversity in the workplace, with a particular emphasis on inclusion of women. This year, two young women took training, one in welding and the other in boilermaking. “They surprise us every day, often working better and more carefully than the men. Women need to be supported in the male environment of the workplace, and efforts need to be made to integrate young people from all ethnic backgrounds, in order to help boost the dynamism of the region.”

Nine trainees qualify in welding, six in boilermaking

This year the enterprise has seen six new trainees qualify in boilermaking and nine in welding. While most of them are staying on to work in Drulingen, some are going to Sécofab in Sarralbe, while others wish to discover new enterprises. They range in age from 19 to 52, and have just spent 18 months in training. Previously, they were managers, hairdressers, butchers or without qualifications. Now they are welders or boilermakers, and rightly proud of it. While Faïza declares being “really happy to have passed the training and to have a job now”, Tekin, although just as happy, admits to still “needing a job”. This training course has many advantages, both for the students and the enterprise. Indeed, 80 to 90% of those trained are kept on at the site since, after all, Drulingen still has a shortage of labour. Almost 40% of employees have been working at Sotralentz and Sécofab for less than three years. “We needed to take on new recruits after a number of retirements”. Another great advantage of the joint qualification certificate in metalwork is that it helps foster team spirit and bonding between the group of trainees. Form diverse backgrounds, they find themselves in a position of equality as they aim to attain the certificate. The French Department of Work, Employment and Professional Training in the Lower Rhine even ensures that the newly qualified students have the option, after three years of work, of taking tests certifying their experience. Some may, for example, take the professional baccalaureate in work experience accreditation as employees. The procedure is somewhat complicated, and takes time for the enterprise, but the result is very much worth the effort. Furthermore, the level of absenteeism is very low, which highlights the excellent quality of this service. In September, Sotralentz will be making a recruitment drive aimed exclusively at the disabled: “we wish to concentrate our training on people with a certain level of invalidity, in order to play a role in their professional integration”. The organisation “Action et Handicap” and the ANPE will be present to recruit and offer advice to anyone interested in these positions.