Défi des Talents
Overview
Country:
Belgium
Level of Outreach:
Regional
Field of Interest(s):
Promotion of the attractiveness of the Construction Industry (e.g. promoting diversity and gender equality, increasing youth participation and apprenticeships, enhancing career paths and mobility within the sector, raising awareness of the sector)
Supported By:
EU
Description
From 2022 to 2025, the Défi des Talents targeted 2nd- and 3rd-year secondary students in general, technical, and vocational education. This interactive guidance project aimed to spark interest in technical careers through hands-on activities, encourage reflection on study and career choices through meetings with professionals, and showcase a wide range of technical trades in one place and one day.
Project/Initiative Data
Project/Initiative Website:
https://www.ifapme.be/defidestalents
What makes this project/initiative unique?:
It addresses to a variety of European priorities (e.g. the aforementioned European Skills Agenda, the European Green Deal or the Digital Agenda)
Aim
From 2022 to 2025, the Défi des Talents was aimed at students in the 2nd and 3rd years of secondary education in general, technical, and vocational streams. It was an interactive and innovative career guidance project whose objectives were: to spark young people’s interest in technical professions through hands-on activities; to stimulate their thinking about their choice of options, training, or career paths through meetings with professionals; to bring together, in one place and on a single day, a wide range of technical professions so that students could make informed, meaningful choices. After three successful editions in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Défi returned one final time in 2025, across Wallonia.
The young participants, divided into teams, competed in a friendly competition. The programme featured around a dozen challenges, each aiming to successfully complete, within about fifteen minutes, a technical task linked to a specific profession.
Professionals from many sectors were present to explain their jobs and daily work to the young people, while also testing them and kindly guiding them toward success in the proposed challenge.
Each challenge won earned points, and at the end of the day an awards ceremony was held. The standout teams were then rewarded in a festive atmosphere.
Target Groups:
Students in the 2nd and 3rd years of secondary education in general, technical, and vocational streams
Outcomes
Results of the project/initiative:
In 2025, the Défi des Talents returned for its fourth consecutive year. Over time, more and more IFAPME Centres joined the project to further promote technical and technological professions among young people. As a result, more than 11,700 students have been reached since 2022. A real success!
Replication of Good Practice
Outreach
Organisation & Contact
Organisation:
Public Institution
| Name of Organisation | Défi des Talents / Institut de Formation en Alternance des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (IFAPME) |
|---|---|
| Town/City | Charleroi, Wallonie |
| Coordinator Website | www.ifapme.be |