UPHF participated in DuoDay on Thursday, November 18, 2021

At UPHF, under the impetus of the personal disability correspondent and the staff social worker in collaboration with 2 insertion counselors from Cap Emploi Valenciennes, DUO DAY took place on the Mont-Houy campus on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

A total of 6 duos were able to be trained in different services (the candidates were followed by accompanying structures: Pôle emploi, Mission locale, Cap Emploi and APEI / ESAT du Hainaut):

• at the reception of the Froissart building: Laurence was in duo with Carinne,
• at the reception of the Maison des Services à l'Etudiant: Sandrine in duo with Gwenaëlle,
• at the maintenance service: Mickaël in duo with Stéphane,
• in the service of social action of the personnel: Maryse in duo with Nelly,
• with a career counselor for students: Aurore in duo with Stéphane,
• at the archives service: Sylvie in duo with Lina.

This day began with the welcome of all participants, with a word of welcome by the Director of Human Resources of the University. Then, each "sponsor" welcomed his or her "godchild" in his or her department for the discovery of the workstation and its environment.

After a day of immersion, all participants met to share their feedback.

For the "godchildren" the strong points were the discovery of our establishment with its different professions and the confirmation of a professional project for some.

For the "sponsors" the day was also enriching, with the wish to renew the experience under another formula (sponsorship, internship) before next year's DuoDay.

All in all, the outcome was positive: the exchanges reflected a satisfactory and instructive day in a benevolent and friendly atmosphere.

This day was also an opportunity to share the testimony of Sébastien (from LAMIH) who welcomed a young person with a disability during a 3-week internship in September 2021 in the LAMIH workshop. This trainee, accompanied in his professional project (in car bodywork) by Cap Emploi and the APEI / SISEP (Social and Professional Integration Service), quickly integrated into the team in a climate of trust, always showing willingness and enthusiasm in the tasks entrusted to him. It was an enriching experience for Sébastien and young Florent.

The Director General of Services, Philippe Dulion, held up by other obligations, reiterated his commitment to the day's proceedings, and the Delegate Vice President for an inclusive and supportive university, Philippe Pudlo, in his closing speech, thanked everyone involved and invested in this DuoDay operation and recalled UPHF's commitment to its values of inclusion.

The DuoDay allows any employer to host a person with a disability in a duo with a volunteer professional for a discovery of a profession, an immersion in a professional environment. The aim is to overcome prejudices and change the way people look at disability. This is a national operation initiated by the Secretary of State for the Disabled and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and by various partners including the FIPHFP and CAP EMPLOI.