Meet the French Business School Training Refugees to Improve Their Job Prospects

Sponsored by HEC Paris

While European countries continue to grapple with one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, 20 refugees in Paris have spent an intensive twelve weeks at HEC Paris, one of the top-ranking business schools in France.

Participants spent a full term on the school’s beautiful leafy campus in Jouy-en-Josas in the Paris suburbs, where they received 20 hours a week of intensive language training in French and English.

Each participant was also paired with a student buddy and alumni mentor to give them the tools and business lingo they will need to bounce back and revive their career prospects.

Why this matters

The idea of sending refugees to elite business schools like HEC Paris to revive their career prospects was born during a chance encounter in 2015 between two business students: Théo Scubla et Eymeric Guinet, and Alexandre Lederman, the founder of the French charity Les Restos du Coeur.

Speaking to 20 Minutes, Théo Sculpa, who went on to co-found Wintegreat - the charity which launched this initiative - said: “So much talent is wasted. Some people perceive refugees as a problem. We want to give them a chance. “

Refugee students and professionals who were forced to quit their studies or career back home often don’t have the language skills they need to enter the workforce in their new country of residence. This new initiative promises to rehabilitate participants and give them sufficient command of the French language to pursue their professional aspirations in France, while also organizing company visits and networking sessions with prospective employers to help refugees build a network of contacts.

Eloïc Peyrache, Associate Dean for HEC MSc in Management Program, said: "Businesses have an important role to play in reducing inequalities and improving social development in a country.

“I am particularly pleased and proud of the dynamism of our students, teachers and staff who are behind this great initiative.”

***

About HEC Paris

Founded in 1881 by the Parisian chamber of commerce, HEC Paris is home to 108 teaching researchers, 4,500 students, and 8,000 professionals in education.

HEC Paris offers a unique range of courses in business and management, including the Grande Ecole program, a range of specialized master’s programs, an MSc, an MBA, an executive MBA, PhDs and technical courses, as well as a summer school.