Simplon, bringing out the technological talent of vulnerable people

admin on 25 October 2019

Foto: Simplon.co

Simplon is a French, social, solidarity-based, innovative organization company that works to transform the digital sector into a more inclusive sector by discovering people with hidden talent among vulnerable social groups, and forming them professionally so that they can find a qualified occupation in the sector.

Since its creation in 2013, Simplon has trained in digital technologies, free of charge, more than 5,600 people with this profile, mainly refugees, adolescents at risk of exclusion and long-term unemployed people. These people with technological talent which remained hidden or which they had never had the opportunity to develop, have learned to develop their skills and abilities in this field to be able to work in the sector: programming mobile applications and web pages, management of digital projects, entrepreneurship of innovative projects, or technology training.

Characteristics of innovation

Adolescence and youth, Bank of innovations, Group intervention, Innovative organization, Lab, Link with the community, Poverty and exclusion, Prediction and prevention

Location

Montreuil, França

Partners / Funders

France Active, Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, Phitrust, INCO, Aviva, Crédit Coopératif, Amundi, and Mirova

Genesis

In 2013, three young entrepreneurs, inspired by Silicon Valley bootcamps, decided to create an inclusive and free version that incorporated a large number of women as well as people of different social and territorial origin. The first facilities opened in Montreuil, France, and the first promotion, which had 30 students of 17 nationalities, began in October of the same year.

Implementation level

The Simplon network has spread over the years to various French cities. In 2014 a training center was opened in Romania, and later expanded to Belgium, Lebanon, Ivory Coast and South Africa. In Catalonia, Factoría F5 was created in 2019, a similar initiative that follows the French model.

Further information

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Noves Oportunitats, educational center for training and job placement for youth

admin on 17 July 2018

Model of accompaniment and guidance that combines quality and qualified training and work to combat educational dropout

The Educational Center Noves Oportunitats advocates for extended, comprehensive, and personalized training pathways. Thus, it guides and accompanies young people towards adulthood by promoting their return to the educational system and access to professional qualification. The program offers tailored itineraries for each individual. Youth can choose from various training offerings, ranging from a flexible adapted ESO (Obligatory Secondary Education) to a certified Level 2 Vocational Training.

The program consists of three phases. The first corresponds to Initial Qualified and Specialized Vocational Training (Levels 1 and 2). Secondly, young people have access to training grants for internships in different workplaces. Finally, the Noves Oportunitats Educational Center offers the Youth Services area. This last phase is designed to extend professional training while guaranteeing real work experience through companies with social economy models.

Beyond promoting education and work experience, the center guides and accompanies young people through personal meeting spaces where, jointly, their professional future is constructed. Students acquire transversal competencies such as learning ability, teamwork, and responsibility.