NQT helps young graduates find their place
On Thursday the 19th, three members from the organization “Nos Quartiers ont des talents” (Our Neighbourhood’s Got Talent) came to visit us.
They were joined by Nirina Thibault, editor-in-chief of Silicon Maniacs and by Amélia Matar, head of communications and social medias at Silicon Sentier. Raynald Rimbault, Vice President, CEO and co-founder, was also present as well as Marie-Christine Rimbault, Director of National development of private partnerships, and Rachida Oubejja, National Head of Communication.
It was in 2005 that the organization “Nos quartiers ont des talents” (*translation* Our Neighbourhood’s Got Talent) was born, in what’s known as the 93rd département of France, due to the impetus of MEDEF 93 and its current President Yazid Chir.
“We’d had enough o
f all the talk about juvenile delinquency everywhere in the media, without ever hearing any success stories”, explains Raynald Rimbault, Vice President, who has been there from the get-go. “So many companies were getting started in the Seine Saint-Denis region while still putting the brakes on. We had to show them that what talent we’ve got!”.
The motto: Concrete Action!
Since its inception, the organisation has helped more than 7,000 recent graduates from either foreign backgrounds or disadvantaged urban areas, becoming an indispensable actor in the job-seeking world. The network has been progressively spreading throughout the entire Rhône-Alpes, Midi- Pyrénées, Aquitaine and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions.
The main difficulty for many young people remains the lack of a professional network and of knowledge of social codes.
“Giving them confidence” by training them in concrete aspects such as the writing of a CV, improving their English, writing an effective cover letter, adhering to dress codes, is very important, whilst also opening “the field of possibilities”, says Raynald Rimbault.
A sponsor system, collective professional coaching sessions, additional training, all of this is designed to really help young graduates find their place in the job market.
Even though the organization helps young people in sensitive areas, it’s never a question of do-gooding or victimization. “We’re not some charity, we are professional!” confirms Raynald Rimbault. “We are all about the real world, offering realistic integration into the business world”.
Giving back is the key to everyone’s success
The sponsor system on which NQT is founded is close to our heart: at Le Camping, we don’t call them sponsors, but mentors, seasoned entrepreneurs who come every week to coach the Campers. They’ve already been through a lot and know the value of advice from more experienced people when getting started. That’s why they feel it’s their turn to give back.
Likewise for the Campers: after each season, a mini- generation of entrepreneurs, who have gone through the same thing, emerges. They have had the opportunity to make use of the ecosystem, feel close to the newbies and wish to help them get going.
What does NQT think? “For the moment, our recent graduates who have been placed in companies with the aid of NQT are not yet experienced enough to become sponsors themselves. In a few years, they will certainly be able to give back what has been given them. For the moment, all they can do is head to their supervisors in the company and speak about NQT!” explains Raynald Rimbault.
What about company and startups creation?
The organization has a 70% subsidy thanks to companies and links with large companies are quite strong, such as those with Orange, BNP, Lagardère, LVMH, Danone, Véolia, to name but a few, which are more and more in line with their “social evaluation”. The link with small businesses, however, remains another development possibility.
“We intend to develop this link with small businesses and start ups. We have started moving in this direction, as can be seen with the HEC incubator. We have selected, from among the youngsters at NQT, applicants with a solid project and who have since been offered a Masters at HEC Entrepreneurs”. We would be be delighted to share the give-back from our entrepreneurs to young graduates.
Translated by Huw Ryan