Apprenticeships and Disabilities: A New Training Program at IPAG
Are you a student with a disability? An apprenticeship can open the doors 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 "women with disabilities", 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 recruiting them: they are looking for 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 upon completion of the contract.
Starting in September 2016, IPAG will therefore offer students with disabilities a work-study apprenticeship in the civil service, with support from the Handiversité service at the University of Montpellier. Ultimately, there are countless career opportunities…
“Local governments, hospitals, ministries, customs services—a wide variety of careers 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.
Tailored 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 led by IPAG with theUM Handiversité service, candidates also receive training tailored to the competitive exams.“Our mission is to enable students to 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 become more independent. Every case is unique, ” adds the student support coordinator, “so our first step is to assess each student’s specific needs. “We’re also here to inform faculty members and help them adapt their courses when necessary.”
Various forms of support may also be offered, including adapted instructional materials, equipment loans, or even daily assistance. 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).