“I like DIY and I have to work”: in Brittany, they are among the rare women to be interested in technical professions
Their names are Marisol, Jeanne, Charlotte, Marion and Olah. Wrapped up in their coats, on this clear December morning, there are nine of them taking their places in this somewhat impersonal meeting room in the industrial zone of Cesson-Sévigné (35), near Rennes. Like 130,000 Breton women, all are looking for work. And all of them, after a first life in the automobile industry, mass distribution or the world of education, are ready to change path.
On the path to professional retraining, the nine Breton women are very interested in technical professions, positions which still struggle to attract women. That morning, the small group comes to learn about the profession of heating maintenance technician. In charge, the Rennes agency of Izi Confort, a subsidiary of EDF, in partnership with France Travail. “Heating is not really my field but it interests me,” smiles Marisol, a 55-year-old resident of Fougères (35). I like DIY, I like repairing and I have to work, so…”
Breaking the glass ceiling
At a time when the crisis is raging in many sectors, the world of energy has an advantage: it continues to hire heavily in order to support the decarbonization of uses. “In Rennes, we are going to open two technician positions at the beginning of 2025. If we add retirements and mobility, we will have four to five positions,” indicates Alexandre Jounier, the manager of Izi Confort Rennes.
To recruit, the sector explores all potential sources. But encouraging vocations among women is not easy. You have to explain, answer questions, remove fears, show. Where Izi Confort stores its equipment, a testing area has been installed with boilers and tools. Marion, a 36-year-old from Rennes, sets out to unscrew a potentially defective part. “Go ahead honestly, turn…” encourages Arnaud. Team leader in Rennes, he reassures his audience: “At the beginning, you will not be alone, there will be training and you will mainly do maintenance”.
To attract candidates, you have to explain, show and reassure. (Photo Le Télégramme/Guillaume Bietry)
A world of men: “It slows me down a little”
Screwdriver in hand, Marion does so. Movement, action, that’s what this former automotive temp worker is looking for in her professional life: “I need it, it helps the days go by more quickly.” The same goes for Charlotte, a 35-year-old from Falkland who is “not afraid” of joining a very few female environment. Her colleagues are far from all of the same opinion. “For me, it slows me down a little, we haven’t yet evolved on that,” says Marisol, 15 years in business.
“Growing up, we were told: “that’s a man’s job”, “that’s a woman’s job”. Technician is still a man’s job,” says Marion, who does not hide her “apprehension” that a customer will not let a woman into his home. “This has never happened,” assures Alexandre Jounier. His team has already welcomed two technicians “and it went very well”. “There is no stopping yourself. You are welcome! », says the manager. At this stage, seven of the nine are continuing the immersion, before possibly taking the plunge.