6 must-know organizations supporting youth employment in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire
1. The Second Chance School: A Different Way to Learn
The Second Chance School (E2C) is designed for young people ages 16 to 30 who lack a diploma or qualifications. Its strength lies in offering a personalized program that combines academic refresher courses, personal development workshops, and internships. Each participant receives personalized support to define their career goals and regain confidence. Serving as a true springboard, the E2C helps dozens of young people in Nantes each year get back on the path to employment or skills-based training.
2. NQT: Mentoring for Graduates
The organization Nos Quartiers ont du Talent (NQT) supports young graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher, many of whom come from priority neighborhoods or low-income backgrounds. Its approach is simple and effective: pairing a young person with a mentor—a corporate executive or manager—who helps them prepare for interviews, highlight their professional journey, and expand their network. In Nantes, companies are getting involved and offering young people exclusive access to the professional world.
3. Proximity: The Strength of the Intergenerational Bond
Proxité focuses on bringing young people and volunteers together to build lasting relationships. In Nantes, the organization has developed strong partnerships with local businesses and venues such as La Cité des Congrès, where it hosts meetings and workshops. Each young person is paired with a mentor who supports them in their education, career choices, and job search. This is a valuable tool for breaking down isolation and building confidence.
4. Décoll’ton Job: Unlocking Your Potential
Décoll’ton Job combines group workshops, one-on-one support, and networking events with recruiters. Its mission: to help young people (and others!) “take off” toward their first job or internship by highlighting their soft skills. The organization uses dynamic and engaging methods—mock interviews, job dating, and one-on-one coaching—to turn stress into positive energy.
Décoll’ton Job offers a wide range of re-entry support services, including workshops on resumes and cover letters, a database of internships at local businesses and companies, and a directory of seasonal, student, and work-study job openings.
5. ATDEC: The Local Institutional Partner
In Nantes, the Nantes Métropole Regional Agency for Economic Development and Employment (ATDEC) plays a pivotal role. Serving as a vital link between young people, businesses, and training providers, it oversees several employment integration programs in the region. The ATDEC supports community-based initiatives, coordinates employment and training programs, facilitates connections with local businesses, and helps strengthen Nantes’s economic ecosystem.
6. The Saint-Nazaire Local Mission
The Saint-Nazaire Local Mission supports young people ages 16 to 25 in finding employment and achieving independence. Active throughout the metropolitan area, it helps young people explore career paths, provides access to internship and job opportunities, and organizes career fairs and job-matching events. It plays a key role in connecting local businesses with young talent in the area and offers personalized support. Open to everyone, including young people with disabilities, it helps businesses recruit and commit to the professional and social integration of the next generation.
A Rich and Supportive Ecosystem
These five organizations illustrate the vitality of the Nantes and Saint-Nazaire ecosystem when it comes to helping young people enter the workforce. Each, in its own way—through personalized support, mentoring, coaching, and networking—helps equip young people with the tools they need to successfully enter the workforce. Nantes reaffirms its commitment to being a community that stands together, where young people find support and opportunities for the future.
