How ‘100 chances, 100 jobs’ program transforms lives in France

26-year old Damien is one of the people to have benefited from the ‘100 Chances, 100 jobs’ program. He was keen on finding a job in logistics, but was aware of the fact that his disability could be a complicating factor. “It means that for certain tasks I need a bit more time. But through this program, I have not only found a job with a company that was willing to take my needs into account, but I have also been able to learn and gain new qualifications.”

Manon Gussy, RGF Connect Lead for France, explains that the ‘100 chances, 100 jobs’ program (or in French ‘100 chances, 100 emplois’) is a long-running program, in which RGF Staffing works closely with dozens of other companies, including other staffing companies. “The program was in fact started by one of our clients, Schneider Electric. Our participation in it is a way to maximize our impact on meeting an important challenge: to help young people who face barriers to the labor market gain sustainable, meaningful employment.”

Creating opportunities to grow

The program targets young people up to 30, with a variety of backgrounds. “They include migrants, youngsters with a disability, single mums, even people who are or have been in prison,” explains Manon. Not all candidates are currently unemployed. “But in many cases the ones with work are stuck in low-paying jobs with little opportunity for growth, and would like to move on and develop their talents.”

Manon Gussy: “It's great to see that our aspiration to helping people who are at a distance from the labor market is truly alive in our colleagues around the world. We can inspire each other to keep doing this, perhaps in new ways, and thus keep making a difference!”

What they all have in common is that they face a disadvantage when applying for jobs and lack the skills and/or network to get the kinds of opportunities that come more easily to other people. “We want to provide them with a job or internship, so that they can build up experience and a resume,” says Manon. “But it’s not just about making a connection with an employer: we also provide mentoring and coaching, to help them be prepared and build confidence.”

A reassuring atmosphere

As a participant in the program, RGF Connect (co-)organizes three intensive, two-week sessions each year, in different parts of the country. “We work with local public sector employment agencies to identify and approach candidates. Usually we have cohorts of around 15 participants, and during the first week we focus on coaching and teaching work readiness skills. And we're preparing them for this big moment in week 2, when all candidates present themselves to a panel of with representatives from 8 potential employers.”

Pitching yourself in front of dozens of strangers may sound intimidating, but Manon emphasizes that the program is designed to build confidence. “Whether we’re aware of it or not, many candidates may have gone through very difficult experiences. So the atmosphere throughout the sessions has to be reassuring. We make a point of being kind, patient and constructive. And usually at the end of the presentation at least one of the employers offers the candidate a position for either a job or an internship.”

Staying in touch

For Damien, this support continued beyond initial placement. While at first he didn’t encounter many obstacles during his work, once he took over responsibilities from a retired colleague this changed. “I am a bit slower on certain tasks, but we were able to discuss and make a lot of little improvements to compensate for that and make things run more smoothly.” All the while Start People France, one of RGF Staffing’s operating companies in France, kept in touch with him. “During the pandemic, I was laid off for two months. Thanks to the agency, I was able to get back to work and even complete a number of training courses, including the renewal of my machine-driving certification, as well as first aid at work.”

Impressive results

The program’s outcomes over the years speak volumes. More than 10,000 people have already participated, and more than 80% have found stable employment as a result. The range of careers launched through the program is remarkably wide. “Some have become forklift operators, others flight attendants, even video makers. Some have ended up working for HR departments,” Manon explains. In many cases candidates have been able to find openings in their desired fields. “But the coaching sessions can also help candidates to re-evaluate the direction they want to take, and maybe focus on an area they hadn’t thought of themselves but which really suit their talents and personality.”

A shared mission

Manon is personally invested in the program’s success. “Sometimes I look at a candidate and it makes me think back of myself when I was about to apply for my first job. During my final years at university I felt a bit lost, and I would have loved to have an opportunity like this. And when you see candidates change and grow, almost in front of your eyes, that makes you feel very proud.”

This sentiment is shared by the participating employers. “It’s not like we need to convince them to take part,” says Manon. “In France, the importance of reaching out to people who need extra help is deeply established in society, also in the corporate world. After all, the idea for this program originated with Schneider, who are still taking the lead and with whom over the years we have established a deep and successful partnership.”

While the program predates RGF Connect, there is real added value in continuing Start People’s participation under the RGF Connect umbrella. “It’s a good way to boost the visibility what we’re doing, both to our partners and to our own employees. It really helps to underline our aspiration to helping people who are at a distance from the labor market. And not just in France: it’s great to see, through RGF Connect, that this same conviction is truly alive in our colleagues around the world. We can inspire each other to keep doing this, perhaps in new ways, and thus keep making a difference!”