France: PIETRA labour market integration

The PIETRA platform (Programme d'insertion par l'emploi et le travail) is an intermediary system for employment that works simultaneously on supply and demand for the benefit of companies in Puy-de-Dôme. Its aim is to support Beneficiaries of International Protection (BIPs) and newcomers in seeking employment and companies in defining their recruitment needs, in selecting suitable profiles and in promoting the integration and upskilling of their employees.

Project Goal

For over 24 years the CeCler association has been working to facilitate the social and professional integration of often-excluded people in the Clermont-Ferrand area. CeCler launched the PIETRA platform in response to a call for projects  by France’s Ministry of Labour at the end of 2018. The call’s objective was to accelerate the professional integration of refugees and new arrivals within the framework of the national Skills Investment Plan.

The overall objective of the platform is to align the recruitment needs of companies in Puy-De-Dôme with the search for sustainable and quality employment for refugees and new arrivals. The aim is to remove the obstacles that this public faces, to facilitate connection with partner companies, and thus to facilitate the immersion of motivated people. Monitoring is carried out as needed to determine additional support needed with French language learning and mobility.

How it works

PIETRA offers two services: one to help companies define their personnel needs and find relevant candidates, and another to support refugees and new arrivals in Puy-de-Dôme with developing their skills towards sustainable employment.

The support programme runs for a maximum of 12 months and has two axes:

1. Skills development and learning of business codes
2. Securing recruitment until the integration of the new employee into the company

No qualifications are required to join PIETRA. If the access criteria are met (legal status; not being already enrolled in a similar programme; signing of a charter of reciprocal commitments), a ‘diagnosis’ is carried out with the person to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. The association has a network of partners allowing it to direct people to the appropriate actors according to their needs. 

Read an article dedicated to the project in the journal of directors of the social and medico-social sector "Direction[s]" (September 2020).

Who benefits

Beneficiaries of international protection (subsidiary; refugee) and new arrivals, as well as companies and other employers in the area.

Funding and resources

The platform’s team is made up of 3 professional integration advisors, 2 business mission managers and a reception and communication agent. It has received funding from:

• Ministry of Labour
• Bank of the Territories
• Michelin - Corporate Foundation
• European Social Fund
• Clermont Auvergne Metropolis