January 2020. Samy is on a gap year in China. He completed an internship in a large group, after a double master’s degree in marketing between the University of Finance and Economics of Chengdu (Sichuan, China) and the Strasbourg School of Management. Thanks to his training, he has no doubts about finding work on his return to France: “The economic situation was good. Nothing foreshadowed what was going to fall on us in the corner of the face. “If he feels apprehensive, it is as to the possibility of benefiting from adequate arrangements in his future business, because he is hemiplegic,” paralyzed on one side of the body “.
When the coronavirus pandemic struck, he was repatriated and propelled into a labor market in the midst of an economic crisis, alongside 750,000 young job seekers. That year, unemployment reached 20.2% among 15-24 year olds (Insee). The figure rises to 30% for those with disabilities (
APF France handicap). An inequality prior to the crisis, as pointed out by Pierre Mignonat, president of 100% Handinamique, an association dedicated to the professional integration of young people with disabilities.
“Many will register for a vocational baccalaureate or a CAP, on the advice of their teachers. »Valérie Viné Vallin, doctor in educational sciences
It is upstream of working life that the differences in treatment between people with disabilities and others are anchored. “Few of them plan to study in higher education, regrets Valérie Viné Vallin, doctor in education and training sciences. Many will register for a vocational baccalaureate or a CAP, on the advice of their teachers. When we look at the figures from INSEE, the unemployment rate for this degree bracket is 22%. These young people certainly have a qualification at the end of their studies, but do they manage to integrate into society? In addition, do these so-called “easier” training courses correspond to what they wish to be and to become? “
“Handicapped” by videoconference
To support young people with disabilities in their professional integration, associations like 100% Handinamique are redoubling their inventiveness in the face of the difficulties posed by the health crisis. “With videoconferencing, we were able to maintain and geographically extend our“ handicapped ”, meeting sessions between young people and employers”, rejoices the president of the association. Thanks to this initiative, Samy landed his first CDD as a talent recruiter at Accenture, one year after graduating.
“The crisis complicated my entry into working life, but, paradoxically, it opened doors for me. As I could not find a job after my return to France, I did a six-month internship at the Secretary of State for People with Disabilities. I, who thought I would follow the typical path of a business school student, I developed a passion for diversity issues and human resources. An example to follow for young people with disabilities, but also for employers. “We need success stories, to make recruiters understand that these young people have skills that they could use in their business,” insists the president of 100% Handinamique. To the best of my mind …