The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region in France is emerging as a leader in promoting vocational excellence through the immersive business forum "Explore the careers" and the regional stages of the renowned WorldSkills competition organised in March. These efforts directly address the pressing challenges of the local labour market, where certain technical and industrial professions remain underappreciated or unfamiliar to youth and job seekers.

To counter this, the region, with support from the European Social Fund Plus, is investing in initiatives to reveal the true potential of these less recognised careers. By offering hands-on, engaging experiences, ‘Explore the careers’ aims to spark curiosity and encourage informed career decisions among pupils, students, apprentices, jobseekers, and those considering retraining. In this interview, Thomas Andreou, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, explains the priorities of the European Social Fund Plus and its role and contribution in France.

At the heart of the initiative lies a clear objective: to boost awareness and attractiveness of lesser known but essential technical and industrial professions. By aligning with broader employment and education strategies, the region seeks to equip its population with valuable knowledge about viable career paths.

The primary target audience includes young people under 23, apprentices, families, jobseekers, and adults undergoing career changes. However, the benefits extend more broadly to include teachers, guidance counsellors, and local employers, all of whom gain a deeper understanding of emerging workforce needs and opportunities.

This approach not only empowers individuals in their professional journey but also contributes to the vitality and resilience of the regional economy.

By building a strong ecosystem that celebrates hands-on skills and offers practical career orientation, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is setting a precedent in how regions can actively shape a skilled and future-ready workforce.