Labour markets have experienced rapid shifts in what employers are looking for in terms of education and experience. Jobseekers may find it difficult to find the right fit for their skills, background or motivations, often leading to jobs that don’t allow for either career development or long-term happiness in their roles.

Supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), ‘Adult Professional Training Programme 2020’ helped adults in Réunion, France to find the right career pathway, and provided opportunities for the skills development they needed to launch their new careers.

The project offered a range of services to equip people for employment, starting with professional consultancy and assessments to determine their next career steps. As well as receiving information, support and training for employment, the project also allowed people who wanted to pursue different career paths to retrain.

Having spent some time in Madagascar as a waiter, Bryan wanted to pursue this path at home in Réunion. The project gave him the soft skills he needed to thrive as a restaurant waiter, as well as giving him a boost in confidence.

‘I enrolled in this training because I have liked waitering since I was in Madagascar. Here I learned to work in a team, to be autonomous and versatile,’ he reflects. ‘It gave me values, principles and allowed me to work with others despite my shyness. That's what I was looking for in the training.’

Similarly, Cyril was working in the building trade before enrolling. The project’s training programme gave him a clear path towards his desired job as a mechanic.

‘I'm retraining for a new career,’ he says. ‘Before I was in the building trade, I always wanted to be a mechanic, but the external conditions didn't give me the chance,’ he says.

Once the training programme had been successfully completed, participants were awarded diplomas, making them appealing candidates to employers. As Cyril attests: ‘This is a chance to have a diploma and to finally do the job I want to do.’

The project provided vocational training and support to more than 1 500 people, 900 of whom obtained a qualification. Thanks to the project, people in Réunion were given the chance to find meaningful employment and achieve their personal goals.