An Afternoon to Discover Métiers d’Excellence

The event gave visitors a chance to learn about an array of métiers, from couture and jewelry-making to retail sales. The IME Village was organized in partnership with the cities of Clichy-sous-Bois and Montfermeil. For a full afternoon, IME partners schools (see list below) were on hand to present the different vocational degree programs offered.

Several current students were also on hand to talk about their experience, including 17-year-old Andrea, who is studying Couture Flou (“soft couture”) at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne: “One of my teachers helped me find this course and I’m now splitting my time between the school and apprenticing at Kenzo. When I began my sewing skills were quite basic. Two years later I can really see how much I’ve progressed. I’ve worked with my mentor on pieces for the runway shows that I was able to watch from backstage. It’s really a dream come true.”

LVMH Houses that are part of the program were also at the open day to meet with future apprentices. They included Jean-François Mouzon of Moët & Chandon, who came with Maeva, his apprentice who is earning a degree in Vineyard and Winemaking Management. “My role as mentor is to ensure that Maeva covers the course content and that her practical work is aligned with the theoretical classes at the school. By apprenticing during an entire annual winemaking cycle she has a chance to see the actual practices associated with the different technical terms. Next year she’ll be studying the winemaking process itself with another mentor who will pass on his expertise to her.”

The large turnout at the Village included junior high school, high school and university students, as well as people interested in a new career direction. They were all extremely enthusiastic about the variety of training opportunities available via the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence. Maxime, who has already completed a four-year university degree, said: “I came to discover the LVMH Group and sectors that are outside the field I initially studied, but still offer job opportunities related to my educational background. It’s very interesting to see the variety of artisanal skills, such as jewelry making and winemaking, as well as skills that are more focused on retail commerce and management.”