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Guidance supporting Europe’s aspiring entrepreneurs
Policy and practice to harness future potential

unique in terms of the level of investment made by employer representatives to
allow young people to take part in such activity.

Example 3. Guidance nights (Nuits de l’Orientation), France

The chambers of commerce and industry (CCIs) in France support the economic development of
their regions by providing various services to companies and entrepreneurs. Despite the active role of
CCIs in providing services related to guidance and vocational training, there was, until recently, no
coherent, coordinated action at national level on career guidance.
In 2006, a consensus was reached among stakeholders nationally, which highlighted the need for
much better alignment of the guidance provided to young people with the expectations and needs of
both young people and the companies who wished to recruit them. The French education system
emphasises qualifications, which can mean that diplomas and training processes often take
precedence over the need to prepare students for actual occupational roles. Career guidance in
France, therefore, focuses on education, with the result that students do not have the chance to
discuss occupations or career opportunities in concrete terms at any point during their school years.
Career related choices are also perceived as stressful by young people and can be a source of
anxiety. The prospect of failure or ‘wasting’ one’s professional life by making a bad decision can
generate a lot of pressure; both for young people and their families.
The idea for guidance nights emerged from a context in which stakeholders had acknowledged
the need to strengthen the role of economic actors in the guidance process. This was necessary to
bring schools and companies closer together and significantly modify the conditions in which pupils
and students get to know and understand different occupations.
Guidance nights are organised in a setting that is easily accessible to young people and their
families and takes place on a Friday or Saturday evening (whereas traditional ‘job fairs’ are usually
organised during the week and during working hours). The events aim for an upbeat and relaxed
atmosphere, yet one that is also professional. They are held under the slogan: ‘guidance without
stress’. The notion of a personal journey is at the core of the concept, meaning that the guidance
night is only the beginning of a process which will be taken forward after the event. The nights are
entirely free for young people and their families.

Activities
The most successful activity of the night, and that which is in highest demand from the public, is
known as ‘trade dating’ – a form of ‘speed dating’ which provides the opportunity for young people,
professionals and entrepreneurs to meet. Trade dating means that young people get some valuable
one-to-one time (15 minutes) with entrepreneurs, company managers and business representatives
from a variety of fields. Young people ask questions about the career pathways that entrepreneurs
have taken to gain a clearer picture about the different career routes available and the day-to-day
activities that comprise these different occupations. Short interviews mean that young people can
explore several occupations in the course of one evening. Around 60 different occupations are
usually represented at each event, and about 1 500 employer representatives are involved in the
initiative within one region.
The events are supported by live music and performances from theatre companies; there are
games, orientated around guidance, for participants to join in with. Participants also have the
opportunity for one-to-one meetings with career counsellors and can obtain reports about different
sectors and occupations and participate in workshops and debates.

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