Rouages: “Lifelong Learning at theUM”
Catherine Bellanger and Salomé Bessaïh work in the Continuing Education Department (SFC—UM). Bellanger assists candidates in the recognition of prior learning through experience to help them earn a degree, while Bessaïh develops new training programs tailored to a population consisting primarily of working adults. This month, as part of the“Rouages”video series, they share insights into their work with us.
We meet Catherine Bellanger and Salomé Bessaih—both program coordinators in the continuing education department—at Richter, on the second floor of a building overlooking the Lez River. Despite the early hour, both colleagues are in good spirits, attuned to the needs of the participants they support. “The continuing education participants are particularly motivated. They all have different backgrounds and profiles, but what they have in common is that they have a goal and are determined—so it’s up to us to be the same,” says Salomé Bessaïh.
The continuing education department consists of about 30 people spread across four locations: Building E on the Richter campus, the Montpellier-Sète IUT, the Nîmes IUT, and the Sète Marine Station.“This department is for anyone who wants to return to school to further their education,” explains Catherine Bellanger. “We support job seekers, employees, self-employed professionals, and students enrolled in vocational training contracts as part of lifelong learning.” Within this department, the seven program coordinators are divided among three areas of activity: science and technology; law, economics, administration, and management; and health, sports, and education.
Develop new training programs
Salomé works in the fields of law, economics, and business administration. Her primary role is to develop new training programs tailored to the continuing education audience—that is, primarily employees. For example, I am currently working on the Master’s 2 in Social Law with a specialization in Labor Law, which currently exists only as an initial degree program; however, starting next September, a second track will be launched for employees (lawyers or legal professionals) who wish to advance their skills, with a schedule specifically designed for them. ” Each year, new programs are offered at the University of Montpellier, while others are discontinued and then reinstated depending on the needs expressed.
These new training programs are offered either in response to a request from an educational coordinator or directly at the request of companies that wish to train their employees.“We don’t get involved in the educational content, ” explains Salomé. “We provide support for the administrative and financial aspects: Does the training need to be approved by the board of directors? Does it need to be registered in the national training catalog? Who pays, and how?” The department also handles professional training contracts by reaching out to companies in the field.“This second role, handled primarily by Ana Bozovic, who is also a project manager within the department, involves connecting continuing education trainees with companies so they can complete their training through a work-study program.”
Providing Support for the Validation of Prior Learning
For her part, Catherine Bellanger has been focusing for the past year on providing support for the validation of prior learning (VAE). All universities organize the VAE for their own degrees; there are more than 600 of them at theUM.“Candidates for this VAE can receive 12 hours of support to complete what is known as Booklet 2. It consists of professional scenarios and evidence of competence that they must present orally before a panel,” explains the program coordinator. About 60 people complete their VAE each year at theUM, and Catherine Bellanger supports about 20 ofthem.“I’m not a subject-matter expert; the subject-matter expert is the candidate whom we support all the way through the panel hearing.”
Catherine Bellanger also works with the funding agencies for these training programs, which fall into two categories. Public funding agencies include primarily the Regional Government and Pôle Emploi, but also Mission Locale“for the youngest participants and those furthest removed from the education system,” she explains. Companies also fund various training programs.“Whether this funding comes from public or private sources, it is always directed toward an individual who will undergo training—either in person or remotely—by taking courses or through the validation of prior learning (VAE). We are a public service, and this concept is particularly important,” she emphasizes.
Highlight
Soon, both of them will take part in one of the highlights of the year: the DAEU graduation ceremony—the Diploma of Access to University Studies, which is equivalent to the high school diploma.“For the ‘UM ,’ there’s a cohort of about 100 people, ”explains Catherine Bellanger. “These are people who have been away from school for a long time and are giving it their all to earn this diploma. Recognizing that commitment is a very moving moment,” she concludes.