Self-recognition: a long wait that has now become inescapable

A day of research at the CNAM about vocational training audiences highlighted the demands of people entering their training sessions.

The audience is rarely asked for their opinion, but when they do speak up, they clearly express their expectations: a humanistic training programme that takes into account the individual's experience and allows them to contribute to their training path, and sometimes even to its preparation.

Expectations regarding work are high: respect for everyone, recognition of their power to choose and, above all, the opportunity to pursue other careers throughout their working lives.

What emerges from the comments gathered from the trainees themselves shows a desire to do away with the categorisations and labels imposed by a structure or institution. This calls into question the image these individuals have of traditional education: a cage where teaching is dispensed by “experts” to subjects who are rendered passive or even left to fend for themselves, invoking critical analysis and training in independent research. In contrast, trainers highlight the sometimes consumerist attitude of trainees.

If we consider that training means preparing people for thoughtful action, the active participation of individuals who feel valued and invited to share their knowledge in a rewarding cooperative environment is essential. To be effective, this cooperation requires focusing on carefully analysed situations based on real-life experiences, which provide access to concepts that are subject to collective reflection.

The role of university lecturers and trainers is set to change. While the transmission of knowledge remains, it now works both ways: everyone has something to learn from everyone else. Top-down authority is now being called into question, and this will inevitably have an impact on relations between management and employees. The national surveys presented at this seminar were clear: young people do not want to pursue a career and prefer to live the life they consider ‘good’ for them.

Recognition by others has become a clearly stated requirement today. Moreover, only genuine recognition will lead to public support and investment in a project that is a life project. And beyond that, the question arises: what kind of society do we want for tomorrow?