Kawneer, partner of the Concours des Métiers

KAWNEER, partner of National Education

13th General Trades Competition 2010 edition

Building Works: Aluminum, Glass and Synthetic Materials

KAWNEER, partner of the 13th General Trades Competition

For several years, KAWNEER France has actively supported the aluminum professions in various educational establishments, at all levels of training, from the BEP to the architect's diploma:

• by participating in educational activities within schools,

• by welcoming and training apprentices in its technical services,

• by developing training modules intended for a school audience.

The General Trades Competition: A prize of excellence

The Concours Général des Métiers (General Trades Competition) recognizes the best students in general, technological, and vocational high schools. This exam assesses candidates through more demanding and longer tests than the baccalaureate exam. It values work that can serve as a benchmark for all classes. The general competition was born in 1744 at the University of Paris.

He has always followed the evolution of National Education and society.

It is dedicated to:

• to final year students of public and private vocational high schools under contract,

• to apprentices in their final year of training at an apprentice training center.



Students' applications are submitted by their teachers during the first term of the school year. Examinations take place during the second term.

Rewards

The examination of the compositions gives rise to the following rewards:

• three prizes (1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes),

• five maximum accessits,

• ten mentions, depending on the level of services.

These prizes are awarded by the Minister, upon recommendation of the jury chairs. The first, second, and third prize winners receive their awards at a ceremony held at the Sorbonne in Paris.

History

• 1744: the University of Paris establishes the Concours Général to distinguish the best students, at the initiative of Abbé Legendre.

• 1747: the first prizes are awarded at the Sorbonne.

• 1924: opening to provincial students and girls (It was originally aimed at boys from Parisian high schools).

• 1981: opening to technological disciplines. The General Competition is initially limited to French, Latin, Greek, history, mathematics and physics.

• 1995: opening to professional education disciplines.

BAYARD High School in Toulouse

The Bayard Building Trades High School in Toulouse has forged a strong relationship with the KAWNEER company for many years. It formalized these exchanges by establishing a twinning agreement. Thanks to this partnership, the exchanges are fruitful for the young students in this training program, since the company participates in the various examination juries for the diplomas prepared at the establishment and welcomes trainees, both for professional baccalaureate classes and educational sequences.



The General Trades Competition

In 2010, the Bayard Vocational High School was selected by the National Education system to organize the General Competition for Trades, Building Works: Aluminum, Glass and Synthetic Materials.

The General Competition takes place in two parts separated in time:

The first part, lasting 3 to 6 hours, is written and takes place in each academy.

This involves carrying out work on an architectural project using aluminum joinery elements.

At the end of the first part, the jury selected the top three candidates for the second part of the "final" test, which lasted 3 hours. This is a practical test organized by specialty, in a single location nationwide. This second test took place in Toulouse at the Bayard Building Trades High School.



The 3 successful candidates each had to produce a set of joinery on the facades of the BAYARD High School dining room: a double-leaf door with transom and 2 side fixed doors with transom (manufacturing, installation and fitting of the glass volumes). The project was carried out using KAWNEER aluminum joinery (KALORY window range and KANADA doors).



The three winners will be awarded prizes by the Minister of National Education, on the recommendation of the Jury Presidents, during the official ceremony of the Concours Général des Métiers which will take place at the Sorbonne in Paris on Thursday, July 8, 2010.

The juries are chaired by Inspectors General of National Education. They are composed equally of teachers or Inspectors of National Education and qualified professionals.

President of the Jury: Mr. Fernand KREMER, Inspector General of the National Education Administration,

Vice-President: Mr. Patrick BET, Inspector of the Toulouse Academy.



KAWNEER France, a specialist in facade and curtain wall solutions, places its national and international expertise at the service of architects' creativity and boldness.

KAWNEER France offers a complete and consistent range of aluminum architectural systems (facades, glass roofs, windows, sliding doors, verandas) for the non-residential and residential markets.



KAWNEER, partner of the General Trades Competition

KAWNEER made a significant contribution to the 13th General Competition of Trades, Building Works session: Aluminum, Glass and Synthetic Materials with:

• technical support for the organization and running of the tests,

• the participation of its technical teams,

• the free supply of equipment and carpentry intended for the tests.



The aluminum joinery sector

Aluminum carpentry professions are little or poorly known to the public and few young people are choosing the corresponding training courses.

More than 80 high schools and 30 work-study training centers prepare students for the CAP, BP, BEP, BAC PRO, BTS, and Professional License, thus constituting a truly comprehensive sector adapted to these professions. 5000 jobs are available each year in companies spread across the country and real career prospects are offered.



Partner schools

• DHUODA High School (BTS Building Envelope relations) in Nîmes,

• Léonard de Vinci High School (BEP to BAC PRO Metaluver / agreement October 2005), Montpellier,

• IUT Evry (Professional Degree in Engineering and Management of Facade Companies),

• Paris La Villette School of Architecture (agreement February 2004),

• Bayard Trades High School (BEP to BAC PRO Metaluver / agreement July 2005), Toulouse.



KAWNEER and learning

KAWNEER France's commitment to these partnerships aims to provide its technical services with a source of quality recruitment, particularly through apprenticeships, which generally result in permanent employment and represent a great career prospect in the metalworking sector.

Currently, KAWNEER welcomes 4 apprentices who are preparing the BTS Building Envelope in alternation with the Lycée Dhuoda in Nîmes and 1 apprentice Professional License Management and Engineering of facade companies.



A qualified future generation

Today, the apprentices who have gone through these sectors have grown within the company and occupy the following positions at KAWNEER France: Quality Manager, Service Technician, Customer Technician, Business Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Designer, etc., others have become customers.



KAWNEER and the Bayard Vocational High School: a complementary approach

Since the implementation of the Partnership protocol "Promotion of the trades of manufacturing and installation of aluminum joinery", KAWNEER has implemented numerous support actions:

• payments of the apprenticeship tax,

• supplies of systems and services at preferential conditions,

• 2010: General Trades Competition.



This partnership is based on:

• lasting collaboration stimulated by concrete actions and reciprocal contributions,

• mutual promotion,

• teacher training (product design and manufacturing, IT, new developments and regulatory changes),

• subscription to KAWNEER technical documentation,

• privileged supply of the system and tools,

• supply of software,

• training and assessments of students in a professional environment (internships),

• certification: participation in juries,

• promotion of the sector,

• evolution of diplomas.



Goals :

- quality products, manufacturing and installation are the only guarantees of quality work.

- well-trained current and future staff / address the current shortage,

- promotion of metalworking professions.

The construction and metalworking sectors hold promise for the future and create jobs. Through its involvement with the National Education system, KAWNEER contributes to playing a positive role in today's society and is committed to supporting future generations.

Press Contact :

Bertrand LAFAYE (Kawneer Southern Europe)

Tel.: 00 33 4 67 87 77 53

E-mail : bertrand.lafaye@alcoa.com

MONTPELLIER

Industrial Zone - Garenne Street

34748 Vendargues cedex

04 67 87 77 77

Fax: +04 67 87 77

www.kawneer-france.com