16.04.20244 min
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ETRE: New laureate of the Degroof Petercam Foundation
Employment stands as a crucial pillar of our prosperity at the Degroof Petercam Foundation. We meticulously select and support ambitious organizations across Europe that offer innovative solutions for sustainable employment. On March 4, the jury honored ETRE (Écoles de la Transition Écologique) as this year's laureate. ETRE is a French training network providing vocational education to young people in the ecological transition sector.
Trajectory that began 20 years ago
In 2004, Frédérick Mathis, then working as an educator-tutor in the Toulouse agglomeration, recognized that young people from the suburbs and periphery were significantly disconnected from the ecological transition. The reason was straightforward: they lacked exposure to it. Thus, the question arose: how to engage these young individuals in the discourse on climate change, especially considering they will ultimately be the ones most affected by it.
Initially, his plea fell on deaf ears. To bolster his vision, he took the youth to the countryside, where they engaged in agricultural work to comprehend the challenges ahead. This raised a second question: how to sustainably support these awakened young minds? By emancipating them through work. For Frédérick, professional integration is central to the ecological transition.
However, two decades ago, there was much less emphasis on ecological transition, and vocational training in this realm was virtually nonexistent. Hence, Frédérick, alongside Mathilde Loisil and their team, embarked on developing their training programs. After eight years of experimentation, innovation, failures, and successes, the first Ecole de la Transition Ecologique emerged in 2017 in Lahange, a small village in southeastern France.
Initially, his plea fell on deaf ears. To bolster his vision, he took the youth to the countryside, where they engaged in agricultural work to comprehend the challenges ahead. This raised a second question: how to sustainably support these awakened young minds? By emancipating them through work. For Frédérick, professional integration is central to the ecological transition.
However, two decades ago, there was much less emphasis on ecological transition, and vocational training in this realm was virtually nonexistent. Hence, Frédérick, alongside Mathilde Loisil and their team, embarked on developing their training programs. After eight years of experimentation, innovation, failures, and successes, the first Ecole de la Transition Ecologique emerged in 2017 in Lahange, a small village in southeastern France.
Facilitating systemic change
While the creation of numerous ETRE schools marks a significant step, it alone won't suffice to enact lasting change. Hence, all players must join forces to ensure that training doesn't become the weak link in the ecological transition. This underscores another mission of the ETRE network: to emphasize the critical nature of investing in vocational training. The organization will advocate in both Paris and Brussels to ensure that green labor receives due recognition.
The one-million-euro support from the Degroof Petercam Foundation will be instrumental in advancing this advocacy and other initiatives.
Moreover, training centers will ensure that young individuals acquire the latest skills to navigate the ecological transition. Additionally, new graduate programs will be developed within this context.
Given that the European Union was founded on coal and steel, leveraging this momentum for the ecological transition seems only logical.
The one-million-euro support from the Degroof Petercam Foundation will be instrumental in advancing this advocacy and other initiatives.
Moreover, training centers will ensure that young individuals acquire the latest skills to navigate the ecological transition. Additionally, new graduate programs will be developed within this context.
Given that the European Union was founded on coal and steel, leveraging this momentum for the ecological transition seems only logical.
Frédérick Mathis & Mathilde Loisil, founders of Réseau ETRE
The training institutions within the ETRE network aim for a dual social and societal objective: by engaging in practical learning about ecological transition, young people can carve out their careers and actively contribute to future problem-solving.
ETRE: a school for a just ecological transition.
This new-generation training institution offers a range of opportunities:
- Firstly, a training path enabling young people to hone their skills, bolster self-confidence, and explore the ecological transition.
- Subsequently, a follow-up phase acquainting students with professions integral to the ecological transition. This includes distinguishing between green jobs, directly linked to the environment (such as waste management, pollution control, energy and water production and distribution, and nature conservation), and 'greening' jobs evolving due to ecological transition (circular economy, renewable energy, ecological construction, organic horticulture, etc.).
- For those interested, a graduation phase grants a professional certificate (e.g., carpentry specializing in recycled materials) or facilitates transfer to existing courses focusing on ecological transition.
These free training institutions cater to individuals aged 16 to 25, tailored to their unique needs.
This initiative has garnered immense success, with ETRE's teams receiving requests nationwide to establish similar institutions.
This initiative has garnered immense success, with ETRE's teams receiving requests nationwide to establish similar institutions.
Understanding the high interest
These educational institutions thrive because they address a genuine need:
On one hand, companies grapple with a severe shortage of workers in green or greening professions, leading to a growing desperation for suitable candidates.
On the other hand, in France alone, nearly 1.4 million young people aged 16 to 25 lack diplomas and face unemployment. Moreover, many of them harbor apprehensions about the ecological transition. These forward-looking jobs present new prospects within their regions, without necessitating extensive academic pursuits.
On one hand, companies grapple with a severe shortage of workers in green or greening professions, leading to a growing desperation for suitable candidates.
On the other hand, in France alone, nearly 1.4 million young people aged 16 to 25 lack diplomas and face unemployment. Moreover, many of them harbor apprehensions about the ecological transition. These forward-looking jobs present new prospects within their regions, without necessitating extensive academic pursuits.
New European franchise network
In 2019, these efforts culminated in the establishment of the ETRE network. Presently, it comprises a seasoned team of 10 employees who have devised a 9-month development process for opening new ETRE educational institutions. During this period, they share their experiences and methodologies with prospective school directors, provide access to ready-made tools, immerse them in an active educational environment, and engage in both group and individual discussions.
Structured as a social franchise, the ETRE network currently spans 20 educational institutions, with no intentions of halting its expansion. The objective is to support 1,200 young individuals by the end of 2024 and aim for 10,000 annually by 2028. To achieve this, the network plans to open an ETRE school in every French department, thereby equipping as many young people as possible with tomorrow's skills.
Additionally, there's an ambition to launch a European franchise network, with plans to establish 10 ETRE schools outside France within five years, making the timing of the Degroof Petercam Foundation Award support pivotal.
Structured as a social franchise, the ETRE network currently spans 20 educational institutions, with no intentions of halting its expansion. The objective is to support 1,200 young individuals by the end of 2024 and aim for 10,000 annually by 2028. To achieve this, the network plans to open an ETRE school in every French department, thereby equipping as many young people as possible with tomorrow's skills.
Additionally, there's an ambition to launch a European franchise network, with plans to establish 10 ETRE schools outside France within five years, making the timing of the Degroof Petercam Foundation Award support pivotal.
Degroof Petercam Foundation Award
For 15 years, the Degroof Petercam Foundation has been dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Employment plays a pivotal role in this vision.Consequently, the foundation supports social actors who devise innovative solutions to facilitate easier access to employment.Annually, the foundation identifies and supports an innovative project with the potential to catalyze systemic change in our employment model. The Degroof Petercam Foundation Award was established to finance Europe's most ambitious social solutions. Laureates receive one million euros to further expand their projects and enjoy tailored support for five years.
Find out more about Degroof Petercam Foundation Award
For 15 years, the Degroof Petercam Foundation has been dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Employment plays a pivotal role in this vision.Consequently, the foundation supports social actors who devise innovative solutions to facilitate easier access to employment.Annually, the foundation identifies and supports an innovative project with the potential to catalyze systemic change in our employment model. The Degroof Petercam Foundation Award was established to finance Europe's most ambitious social solutions. Laureates receive one million euros to further expand their projects and enjoy tailored support for five years.
Find out more about Degroof Petercam Foundation Award
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