Since the emergence of the FabLabs movement and “spaces of doing”, we have seen these places as a great tool for the integration of young people. So we have developed the concept of Solidarity FabLab to train them in digital machines and carry out collective projects that respond to local needs and/or societal issues. These paths allow them to regain self-confidence, to increase their skills (both digital and cross-functional), to discover new professions, to live an experience that will nourish their professional future.

To go further, we have launched a new call for projects in 2021 on the “Jobs of Tomorrow” allowing them to develop job’s skills that meet societal challenges and discover new professions. In this context, 9 training courses were supported around urban and rural agriculture, eco-design, low tech, etc., that you will find with educational toolkits in our Educational Library accessible to all. These issues, of which the ecological transition is at the heart, are increasingly significant, and they require us to be more innovative, to adapt better and to develop new skills to meet the needs of each territory. We are convinced that “spaces of doing”, agents of change by essence and places of innovative learning, are essential actors to address these issues.

The needs are numerous – recycling, waste management, photovoltaic maintenance, renovation, sustainable city, eco-design, eco-energy specialist, mobility, repair, food, environmental protection, etc. - they can be identified directly with a local partner or thanks to the diagnostics of territories identifying the needs and professions in tension. Therefore, the paths developed within the framework of this call for projects, aim to develop new skills, employability, access to innovative professions. In addition, these training courses are intended to be shared by all (via our Educational Library) to allow all structures that so wish to offer them, thus enriching the commons and multiplying this dynamic around impact professions

FabLabs third place, “spaces of doing” or innovative training structures using digital machines and learning-by-doing are invited to submit a project that includes the following things:

• Engineering: Propose a green or environmentally conscious pre-qualification / qualification course that addresses a local need for young people, utilizing FabLab tools
• Toolkit: Create an educational toolbox for other FabManagers
• Skills Transfer: Webinars in French and English to present content to the network of Solidarity FabLabs and Third Places, enabling them to assimilate the content and have all the necessary elements to transmit to the final beneficiaries.
• One or more training sessions for young people on integration programs (free for 16-25 years without job)

It is important that the project describes the key elements:

• The context, how the training addresses a local need, which partners have this need and their role (co-construction of the program, contribution, meeting, immersion, future employment, etc.)
• The structure, content, duration, and objectives of the training, the level required of beneficiaries, if any, the skills acquired by the beneficiaries, job opportunities.
• An educational toolbox: content of a reference course (content, target profession, required FabManager skills, etc.), the FabLab equipment that will be used, the implementation conditions, the machines and educational tools required, the administrative documents (attendance sheet, etc.), a method for promoting the skills acquired
• The number of training beneficiaries and their profile, the referral partner (integration organization, second chance school, etc.) and the inclusion of tracking data (at least: gender distribution, positive outcome such as internships, training, employment, business creation, income generation)
• The resources used to provide this training (team profile, machines, services, etc.)

Once the committee has reviewed the project and if it is selected, this information must be shared in a webinar and integrated into the Educational Library within 6 months (i.e., no later than the beginning of the second half of 2024).

FabLabs or innovative training structures that use digital machines and learning-by-doing are invited to submit a project including the following elements:

• Upstream: familiarize yourself with the content of existing training courses to ensure you can implement them. Choose from the 9 courses in the Educational Library.
• Describe the context, how this job training addresses a local need, which partner has this need and its role (contribution, meeting, immersion, future employment, etc.)
• The number of training beneficiaries and their profile, the referral partner (integration organization, second chance school, etc.) and the inclusion of tracking data (at least: gender distribution, positive outcome such as internships, training, employment, business creation, income generation)
• The resources used to provide this training (team profile, machines used, etc.)

The key criteria:

• The alignment of the training with local needs and the ecological transition
• The involvement of partners (linked to local needs, the resources implemented to facilitate the professional integration of young people) and integration structures (referral)
• A project aimed at young people trying to integrate into the world of work (16-25 years old and unemployed) and that is free of charge
• The FabLab’s ability to provide these courses and the number of sessions planned