Vocational Training and Disabilities: A New Program at IPAG
Are you a student with a disability? An apprenticeship can open the door to a career in the civil service. The Institut de Préparation à l’Administration Générale (IPAG) in Montpellier now offers you a direct path to employment.
Is a work-study program the fastest route to a job? This is also true for students with disabilities. “We receive numerous requests from public agencies for apprenticeship contracts for individuals "disabled women", explains Etienne Douat. For employers, the challenge is twofold: “comply with the legal requirement to employ workers with disabilities[1], but also to take the utmost care in their recruitment: they seek competent individuals who have received solid training” continues the director of IPAG in Montpellier.
Paid contract
The reason this program is so appealing is that the contract is a win-win situation. The apprentice receives paid training—the contract pays €1,000 per month—and the work-study program puts them in an ideal position to be hired. From the employer’s perspective, the program guarantees the training of a fully operational employee by the end of the contract.
Starting in September 2016, IPAG will therefore offer students with disabilities a work-study apprenticeship in the civil service, with the support of the Handiversité service at the University of Montpellier. Ultimately, there are numerous career opportunities…
“Local governments, hospitals, ministries, customs services—a wide variety of professions are open to you everywhere. It’s impossible to imagine the number of specialties the government might need: human resources, budgeting, psychology, law, or even business—the possibilities are endless,” explains Etienne Douat.
Customized training
To facilitate the integration of people with disabilities into the civil service, a special recruitment process is available to them. Thanks to a partnership between IPAG and the UM’s Handiversité service, candidates also receive training tailored to the competitive exams.“Our mission is to help students overcome the challenges they may face in their academic studies due to their disability,” explains Isabelle Pecquenard. “In practical terms, we support them in their academic pursuits while helping them build their independence. Every case is unique, ” notes the student support coordinator, “so our first step is to assess the student’s specific needs. “We’re also here to inform instructors and help them adapt their courses when necessary.”
Various forms of assistance may also be offered: adapted educational materials, equipment loans, or even daily support. The Handiversité service also serves as a liaison with the disability advisor or coordinator at the host institution to facilitate appropriate workplace accommodations.
- More info
- Contact: Rachel Légère, 04 34 43 23 04
[1] As in the private sector, any public employer with at least 20 employees is required to employ people with disabilities in a proportion of 6% of the total workforce (Article L.323-2 of the Labor Code). Note that the status of worker with a disability is recognized by the Commission for the Rights and Autonomy of People with Disabilities (CDAPH). For more information, contact the Departmental Office for People with Disabilities (MDPH).