By Normandy editorial staff
Published on 17 Jan 21 at 18:48
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Friday December 4, 2020, in Cholet (Maine-et-Loire, the final of the best apprentices of France (MAF) took place. William Deguingand, student in La Châtaigneraie, at Mesnil-Esnard, on the eastern plateau of Rouen (Seine-Maritime), picked up the title of best apprentice in France of the 2020 edition, in cooling and air conditioning.
In October 2020, two young people from La Châtaigneraie, Baptiste Daie and William Deguingand, won the departmental and regional gold medal in the competition for the best apprentice in France (MAF) in refrigeration and air conditioning. They therefore presented themselves to the national final, in Cholet.
An atypical course
What characterizes these two young people is their atypical career. After a Bac STMG (management management) and a year working in interim, Baptiste Daie chose to reorient himself in Bac Pro TFCA (refrigeration and air conditioning technician). He is now in his first year of BTS. As for William Deguingand, he first followed a 3rd vocational preparation within the establishment. “I discovered three professions and I chose the cold. »He is currently in his final Bac pro TFCA technician in refrigeration and air conditioning.
“It is important to know that bridges are possible for those who wish to reorient themselves. We offer specific programs. It is never too late to change direction, ”explains Xavier Blondel, deputy director of vocational and technological training at La Châtaigneraie.
–The result of a lot of personal work
“We took the best and the volunteers because for this competition, there is a lot of personal work. We are here to guide them! », Says Xavier Blondel. “It took around a hundred hours of work: in the evening after school when the workshops were free, during the holidays! The most difficult for me was during the confinement, because I did not always have the necessary parts! », Adds William Deguingand.
What about the competition?
“Upstream, we had a part to make with plans and dimensions. Once there, it was two hours of practical testing: the commissioning of an installation. A professional jury rated our piece and our methodology report, ”explains William. “It’s the competition for excellence. You had to be over 18 out of 20, ”explains Xavier Blondel. And William won the title of best apprentice in France with another finalist from Cholet!
“I felt pride, that of having gone to the end”
“When the results were announced, I felt joy and especially pride, that of having gone to the end despite moments of discouragement, especially during confinement,” says William. Obviously, he will write this prestigious title on his CV and intends to continue his studies with a BTS and maybe more! Soon, the date is not yet fixed, he will find the best apprentices in France, all trades combined. It will be at the Sorbonne, to receive his reward.
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