NEXT STEP - Podcast#1 : Trouver du personnel qualifié, une recherche difficile ?

Next Step: Exploring Training and Employment

Introduction to the Show

• The show "Next Step" focuses on training and employment, featuring various guests from Brussels Formation.

• The format includes discussions around specific themes related to training and employment, aiming for deeper insights.

Concept of the Show

• The goal is to help employers understand relevant topics in training and employment, exploring their implications.

• The first guest introduced is Jen Deshomme from Wikitri, who discusses her role in a tripartite training program involving Brussels Formation.

Insights into the Insurance Sector

• Jen highlights a surprising shortage of professionals in the insurance management sector in Brussels.

• She attributes this issue partly to generational perceptions; younger individuals find the profession less appealing post-COVID due to remote work trends.

Making Insurance Management Attractive

• Jen emphasizes that the profession involves significant human interaction, countering common assumptions about it being purely numerical or transactional.

• She explains that understanding clients personally enhances job satisfaction and makes the role more engaging.

Addressing Workforce Shortages

• There are 106 positions available for insurance managers in Brussels, prompting collaboration between Wikitri, Actis, and Brussels Formation to address recruitment challenges.

• Since 2021, they have successfully placed 60 individuals into jobs through targeted training initiatives aimed at bridging skill gaps.

Success Stories from Training Programs

• A participant named Olivier shares his experience after completing a training program that led directly to job placement shortly thereafter.

• Olivier's story illustrates the effectiveness of these programs in facilitating immediate employment opportunities for graduates.

Transitioning Careers: From Travel Agent to Insurance Manager

Discovering New Opportunities

• The speaker expresses hopefulness about finding a new career path, mentioning that they discovered a training program on the Actéris website that piqued their interest.

• They relate their previous experience as a travel agent to their new role, emphasizing the importance of client interaction and service in both professions.

Impact of COVID-19 on Career Change

• The transition from travel agent to insurance manager was largely influenced by job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to unemployment after their company went bankrupt.

• The speaker highlights the urgency of finding new employment and how they perceived the insurance field as closely related to their past work in terms of client service.

Overcoming Challenges and Imposter Syndrome

• After completing training, the speaker secured a job immediately, describing it as a significant relief after transitioning careers.

• They discuss feelings of imposter syndrome associated with being unemployed and emphasize that individuals should not blame themselves for losing jobs but rather strive to recover quickly.

Support Systems During Training

• The speaker notes that support from peers during training is crucial; sharing experiences helps motivate each other through challenges.

• They mention that coaching is an integral part of their training program, aimed at helping students reintegrate into the workforce after extended unemployment.

Success Stories and Market Dynamics

• Acknowledgment is given to Olivier's success story within the program, illustrating how candidates can be guided towards suitable roles based on individual strengths.

• Discussion shifts towards recruitment challenges faced by employers like Thierry Guer, who notes a significant shift in job market dynamics since 2010 where there are more vacancies than qualified applicants.

Career Transformation and Opportunities in Brussels

The Importance of Collaboration and Inspiration

• The speaker emphasizes the potential for job opportunities in Brussels, highlighting that collaboration is essential for career reform, especially in sectors facing challenges.

• They share personal experiences of transitioning through multiple careers, stressing the need to start anew each time and the importance of networking and training.

• A lack of inspiration is identified as a barrier; individuals often do not consider diverse career paths available outside their immediate family or community influences.

• The speaker recounts how a conversation changed their career trajectory from medicine to sales, underscoring the significance of mentorship and exposure to different professions.

• There’s a call for increased dialogue about lesser-known professions (e.g., insurance broker), which could inspire others to explore these fields.

Mobility Challenges Among Job Seekers

• It is noted that many job seekers prefer local employment opportunities rather than considering positions further afield, despite long commutes being common among other Belgian workers.

• The discussion introduces three pillars: Voice, Connect, and Serve, which are aimed at addressing talent shortages by fostering community engagement and support among businesses.

• Events are organized to connect disengaged individuals with companies or trainers, facilitating pathways back into employment.

Training Motivation and Effectiveness

• The necessity of motivation before entering training programs is highlighted; unmotivated participants tend to perform poorly and fail to secure jobs post-training.

• Emphasis on explaining the benefits of certain careers (like industrial laundry work), as many people do not dream of such roles but they can be rewarding if understood properly.

• Language skills are discussed as critical for employability; learning languages like Flemish can open up significant job opportunities within Belgium's economy.

Employer Engagement in Training Initiatives

• Introduction of Jean-Pierre Landrin from Bruxelles Formation who discusses new employer services aimed at identifying workforce needs for effective training programs.

• Employers are encouraged to engage with training initiatives actively; this partnership aims to maximize employment opportunities for residents while addressing specific industry demands.

Brussels Formation: Bridging Employment Gaps

Collaborative Training Initiatives

• The initiative involves collaboration with various profiles to address employment needs, similar to coding schools. This approach aims to fill the gap in trained workforce for available jobs.

• The training is designed in partnership with companies, utilizing diverse pedagogical methods to ensure effective learning outcomes. Participants are guaranteed employment upon completion of their training, creating a win-win situation.

Addressing Employment Discrepancies

• In Brussels, there are approximately 90,000 job vacancies and an equal number of unemployed individuals. The goal is to match job seekers with employers effectively through targeted training programs.

• Brussels Formation emphasizes the importance of engaging businesses in the training process, ensuring that they understand how to access talent and collaborate effectively with educational institutions.

Shifting Perspectives on Candidate Selection

• There is a need for companies to broaden their criteria when selecting candidates by focusing more on soft skills rather than strictly on hard skills or specific diplomas. This shift is crucial given the diversity of nationalities within the workforce (180 nationalities).

• Employers are encouraged to consider candidates from varied educational backgrounds who can be trained for roles outside their initial field of study, promoting inclusivity and adaptability in hiring practices.

Employer Engagement Strategies

• Efforts are being made to encourage employers to proactively seek out partnerships with Brussels Formation for workforce development initiatives; this includes simplifying communication channels between employers and the organization.

• While there are limitations regarding specialized fields (e.g., pharmacy), Brussels Formation focuses on sectors where they have expertise and can provide relevant training programs tailored to industry needs.

Overview of Available Training Programs

• Brussels Formation offers a wide range of courses across various sectors including logistics, construction, office management, ethics, languages, and more—totaling around 650 different training options available for participants.

• The discussion highlights the importance of continuous adaptation in training programs as industries evolve and new job roles emerge in response to market demands. This adaptability ensures that learners acquire relevant skills for future employment opportunities.

Discussion on Professional Training and Industry Perceptions

Importance of Job Image and Collaboration

• The discussion emphasizes the need to improve the perception of various professions, particularly in construction and industry, which still suffer from outdated images despite modern employment opportunities.

• It is highlighted that working in industry today is not limited to traditional factory roles; there is a necessity for employers to promote new forms of work within these sectors.

• Collaboration among stakeholders is deemed essential due to the rapid evolution of skills required in the workforce. This collaboration can take many forms, including internships and tailored training programs.

Agility in Professional Training

• The flexibility of professional training systems allows for quick adaptation to changing job requirements, contrasting with more rigid educational frameworks that may not respond as swiftly.

• Emphasis is placed on developing core competencies rather than focusing solely on specific job details. Understanding the purpose behind a profession (e.g., risk assessment in insurance) is crucial as tools and methods evolve rapidly.

Adapting to Technological Changes

• Professionals must learn adaptable skills rather than being trained on specific tools or machines that may become obsolete. For instance, carpenters now often use automated machinery that requires different skill sets.

• The conversation suggests that foundational knowledge about a profession's goals will better prepare individuals for future changes in technology and practices within their fields.

Call for Trust and Communication

• A call to action encourages employers to engage with training providers collaboratively to create effective training pathways tailored to current needs.

• There’s an emphasis on building trust among various organizations involved in workforce development, suggesting regular communication as key to overcoming systemic challenges.

Conclusion: Moving Forward Together

• The discussion concludes with a recognition of the incredible entrepreneurial spirit present but warns against losing energy due to past systemic issues. Regular dialogue among stakeholders is proposed as essential for progress.

• A final note encourages viewers who found value in the discussion to share it with others, highlighting collective responsibility towards workforce development and career transitions.