Bar-le-Duc. Two weeks to transition from the high school atmosphere to the professional world of a company

A two-week intersectoral internship for second-year students at Poincaré High School, which best illustrates the convergence between two worlds: education and business.

These two essential worlds of society have been re-establishing dialogue for several years and forging close ties through major operations with a view to career choices and the development of future professional paths.

In order to move away from the traditional two-week work placement model for these high school students, which is too often a real obstacle course for any high school student and requires a real investment from the host companies during this period, the Medef Grand Est (French employers' association) has been offering, since last year, another formula adapted to the different departments. An alternative structured around multiple company visits over these two weeks.

This innovative operation is led by the Local School-Business Committee (CLEE) in the region and coordinated by Francis Manin, principal of Theuriet College, and Richard Papazoglou, president of the Meuse/Haute-Marne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in conjunction with Medef Meuse, the Les Entreprises s'engagent en Meuse club, the Raymond-Poincaré high school in Bar-le-Duc, the Nancy-Metz academy and the Grand Est region.

From June 16th to 27th, 25 students were treated to a few hours of immersion, discovering the richness, diversity, and expertise of the local economy. The series of on-site visits sparked at least curiosity, at best a vocation, but always career ideas...

The mobilization of local businesses and stakeholders also lived up to expectations: Bergère de France, Cheval, Andra, Arcelor Mittal, Carbo France, Menuiserie Steiner, Miler, Polyclinique du Parc, Fromagerie Dongé and Ségor Industries willingly opened their doors to the students, not to mention specific presentations at the high school from speakers from the CCI (Training), the Banque de France, APEF (personal services), Yzico, Les 80°, BPLC and other notaries in the sector. Department, prefecture, management center, gendarmes also mobilized to detail the professions of the State and territories.

These visits and presentations were presented last Friday in various formats to all partners. Short video clips, fully in keeping with the digital age for this younger generation, enriched the traditional activity reports.

A real success in the eyes of the principal of Poincaré high school, Julien Pisselet, who praised "the students' punctuality, attendance, and involvement in the work. This gives you an insight into all the careers available in Meuse and allows you to further your career choices after the baccalaureate."

This initiative is unanimously supported by the various stakeholders. A planned third edition is under consideration, with several technical and material improvements already under consideration. And there are sure to be new gems from the Meuse's service and industrial sectors to discover in June 2026.