Inclusion in and through work: the case of the “100% inclusion” project run by the Compagnons du Devoir

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to investigate the inclusion of young people (aged 16 to 21) who have dropped out of school and society, through an experiment within a vocational training organisation, the Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France.
The question is as follows: How can building a positive occupational image be an effective lever for the inclusion of NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training) populations? The research directly reflects recent developments in the literature (Shore et al., 2011) by focusing on the role of a specific group – the occupation – in the inclusion process. The empirical study is based on a qualitative methodology involving semi-structured interviews and observations of beneficiaries and players in the project (61 people).
The results highlight the process of constructing a job image using a seven-criteria grid. The research – centred on the notion of ‘occupational inclusion’ – provides a better understanding of the way in which a group, the occupation, can promote the inclusion of NEET populations. It also highlights the value of looking at contexts that are atypical of those commonly studied. The contributions are also of a managerial and societal nature, providing food for thought on the attractiveness of professions, particularly those under pressure. Based on the concept of “occupational inclusion”, innovative ways are proposed to support people who are dropping out of society and school through immersion in the working environment.