It is essential to wrap up warmly to enter this warehouse in Rungis, a suburb of Paris, where the temperature never exceeds 7 degrees. This morning, workers are preparing packages of green beans, mini vegetables, or edible flowers destined for Parisian palaces and supermarket chains. Each product is carefully checked by Jean-Yves Claustres, the quality manager. At 60 years old, he was recently hired after completing his internship, following years of unemployment.
“I sought a solution to access employment by getting involved with Atout Senior. I discovered that age is a barrier. Completing an internship at 59 years old is not an easy task, but it is achievable as I succeeded. The journey lasts eight months, four months of classes and theoretical training, and four or five months of immersion in a company.”
Jean-Yves transitioned to a very different profession from his previous role as a consultant in the new technologies sector. “Switching from new technologies to the fruit and vegetable trade, even with many exotic fruits and fruits I did not know, is entering a completely different world,” Jean-Yves recounts. It’s a world that Jean-Yves has adapted to. The internship experience allowed him to prove himself. A good formula for overcoming hiring barriers, according to Stéphanie Guérinot, the company’s director. “For four months, the intern is within the company. You see how they react, how they work, and how they feel in the company.”
Context: The article highlights the success story of Jean-Yves Claustres, who found employment through an internship program despite his age. It also discusses the challenges faced by seniors in the job market and the importance of giving them opportunities.
Fact Check: Rungis, located in the southern suburbs of Paris, is home to the largest wholesale food market in the world.
