A collective adventure born from a strong conviction
When DUO for a JOB established itself in the Hauts-de-France, the ambition was clear: to enable young people from immigrant backgrounds to benefit from the guidance of professionals over 50, facilitating their entry into the job market while simultaneously helping these seniors feel a sense of purpose.
Five years later, this conviction has never been stronger. In a region facing significant challenges regarding employment, inclusion, and equal opportunity, mentoring has emerged as a concrete solution for building connections, combating prejudice, and fostering access to the job market.
The Hauts-de-France remains one of the regions most affected by youth unemployment. According to INSEE, 16.8% of 15-29 year-olds are unemployed there, compared to 13.5% nationally. Added to this is a high rate of young people not in employment, education, or training, which highlights the integration difficulties faced by a portion of the youth population. It is cited as being “overexposed to poverty, inequality, and unemployment,” according to the 19th Poverty and Precarity Barometer conducted by Ipsos and Secours Populaire.
“Behind every duo, there is, above all, a human connection. That is what has made the program’s strength for the past five years: seeing people who likely never would have met build a relationship of trust together and move toward a common goal.” Stéphanie Lefebvre, Director of DUO for a JOB Hauts-de-France
More than 550 young people guided toward employment or training Since its launch, the Hauts-de-France branch has supported more than 550 young people in their search for employment or training. But beyond the numbers, these are, above all, stories: projects taking shape, paths being cleared, networks opening up, and confidence being rebuilt.
During this anniversary evening, several duos came to share their experiences. Jacques and Beretta, as well as Dominique and Amani, shared their stories and demonstrated how a single meeting can become a true catalyst for professional opportunities.
A commitment shared by local stakeholders
This celebration also provided a platform for several stakeholders committed to employment and inclusion in the Lille metropolitan area:
Margaux Rouchet, Lille City Councilor; Julien Pilette, Delegate Metropolitan Councilor; Dominique Leterme, Director of France Travail Port Fluvial; Nicolas Stordeur, advisor at Lille Avenirs. Their contributions highlighted the importance of developing initiatives that support young people, facilitate the transfer of experience, and build bridges between generations.
The growth of DUO for a JOB Hauts-de-France over the past five years is thanks to the commitment of the many individuals and organizations that have chosen to support our mission.
From partner associations, committed companies, and public institutions to volunteers, mentors, and the young people we support: everyone plays an essential role in this collective effort.
This 5th-anniversary celebration was the perfect opportunity to bring together those who bring the program to life every day and to reflect on how far we have come together.
What’s next?
These first five years are an important milestone, but they are only the beginning.
The needs remain significant. Our ambition is to continue expanding intergenerational mentoring in the Hauts-de-France region by helping more young people find employment, training new volunteer mentors, and strengthening DUO for a JOB’s presence throughout the region.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped bring this adventure to life over the past five years.
Here’s to the next five years 💚💙
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