Providing the best possible support to this group through mentoring ‍
Behind these faces and names lies the reality of the challenges faced on a daily basis when arriving in a new country: speaking a new language, finding accommodation, understanding the administrative system, adapting to a new culture, building a social circle and finding employment. This last challenge is multifaceted, as we know that successful professional integration is not just a question of income. It is key to autonomy, dignity and developing a sense of belonging to the host society. At DUO for a JOB, we support thousands of young people from migrant backgrounds every year in their socio-professional integration. In 2024, 73% of the young people we supported were from migrant backgrounds. For six months, at a rate of two hours per week, these young people find a presence, a point of reference: a mentor who supports them step by step in their journey towards professional integration. This relationship, built on trust and exchange, allows the mentor to pass on their experience and knowledge of the professional world. Together, they move forward in a structured framework that allows young people to look to the future with confidence. Beyond employment, mentoring creates a safe and supportive space where young people can ask any questions that concern them. It is a place for sharing and mutual learning, but also for recognition and appreciation.
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The measured impact of mentoring ‍
Regardless of the young people's gender, level of education or reason for staying, individualised support significantly increases their access to employment, but that's not all:
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90% feel more confident and independent in their job search. 80% expand their professional and/or social network. 95% have been able to define a career plan with their mentor. 88% with language difficulties have improved their language skills. ‍
Thanks to the thousands of hours of support provided each year, we are witnessing a reciprocal evolution: young people are gaining confidence, overcoming their obstacles and planning for the future, while mentors find meaning and satisfaction in passing on their experience and gaining a better understanding of the realities of job hunting for our target audience.’ Prunelle - Director France, DUO for a JOB ‍
Training mentors to provide informed guidance ‍
At DUO, we firmly believe that the quality of our support (we were the first association to be awarded a 3-star rating by the Collectif Mentorat in 2025) depends in particular on the training and supervision of our mentors . Before being able to support young people, each mentor undergoes comprehensive training covering several key topics, including:
The origins and history of immigration, The refugee journey, Intercultural communication, Active listening. This training enables them to better understand and appreciate the realities experienced by young people, particularly those who have undergone migration, while questioning their own perceptions. This preparation is not limited to the beginning of the programme: throughout the programme, mentors receive support from a dedicated coordinator and specific resources to help them adjust their support. There are also opportunities for mentors to meet and discuss their respective experiences.
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Ibrahim and Jerome: an example of a beautiful story ‍
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Ibrahim arrived from Sudan in 2021, bringing with him the hope of building a new life, but also the obstacles faced by so many young people: complex administrative procedures, lack of experience, and that feeling of being lost in an unfamiliar country.
For six months, JĂ©rĂ´me, his mentor, was by his side every step of the way: helping him refine a meaningful career plan, deciphering the implicit codes of the job market, and preparing for interviews in real-life conditions.
Their partnership paid off: Ibrahim trained as a plasterboard installer, signed a work-study contract, and found accommodation closer to his workplace. But what stands out most is the bond that developed between them. JĂ©rĂ´me gave him his favourite book on pushing oneself and shared confidence.
Ibrahim and JĂ©rĂ´me's story is not an isolated case. Every day at DUO, hundreds of duos like theirs are formed: unlikely, intergenerational encounters that change lives and create unique bonds.
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Together, creating change ‍
At DUO for a JOB, support is not limited to employment: it means building bridges, contributing to a more open and inclusive society, restoring confidence where the migration journey has sometimes eroded it, and providing a space where commitment, solidarity and respect for differences become collective strengths.
We believe it is essential to recognise the potential of young people from migrant backgrounds and to offer them the tools and support they need to reveal it.
Diversity is a source of social, cultural and economic progress, but it can only fully play its role if it is accompanied by trust, inclusion and solidarity. This is what DUO for a JOB puts into practice every day.
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