Vosges. Second Chance School Meetings in Épinal: Sport to Regain Self-Confidence

They finally avoided the rain. The possible storms predicted were delayed by the hour, allowing organizers to continue, under good conditions, the sports events open to the twelve second-chance schools (E2C) in Lorraine, which were being held at the Natur'O base in the port of Épinal.

Nearly 80 trainees (aged 16 to 25) were gathered, as the E2Cs do once or twice a year, with the idea of ​​"work essentially based on self-confidence," as Fabien Lo Pinto, director of the Lorraine E2C, explains. With sport as a vector for the young people present, engaged in volleyball matches, canoe races (on the canal) and sports courses led by representatives of the Armed Forces Information and Recruitment Center (Cirfa) in Épinal.

"Yes, they are also among the potential recruiters for some young people from E2C," confirmed the regional director on site. In addition to building self-confidence, the meeting also gave participants the opportunity to listen to each other, paying attention to respecting the rules and working together in particular.

Six of them have been selected (primarily based on behavior and compliance with rules) for upcoming national meetings, scheduled for a few days in Manosque. In Lorraine, 1,200 trainees pass through the E2Cs annually, which boast a 70% positive exit rate, either toward employment, apprenticeships, or qualifying training.