Rodez Addresses Youth Worker Shortage with Expanded Bafa Training
RODEZ, Aveyron – Nearly 40 young people are currently undergoing intensive training in Rodez to become qualified youth facilitators, a direct response to a growing shortage impacting local recreational and educational programs. The program, a collaboration between Les Éclaireuses et Éclaireurs de France, the City of Rodez, and Foch high school, marks its third consecutive year, offering a crucial pathway into the animation profession.
This initiative arrives at a critical juncture for Aveyron’s youth services. Structures are struggling to recruit qualified staff, and the Bafa - Certificate of Aptitude for Facilitator Functions – serves as the foundational qualification for many roles. “In Rodez, there is a lot of shortage of facilitators,” explains Guillaume Joao, in charge of cooperation for the agreement between Caf Aveyron and the City of Rodez. ”The structures have difficulty recruiting, there is a lack of training and the Bafa is the basis of the profession.”
The week-long training, unusually held within the quiet halls of foch high school during the All Saints’ Day break, isn’t solely focused on the technical aspects of the Bafa. Trainees are also gaining insight into diverse career paths within the animation sector, including opportunities working with children, in early childhood education, and with youth. Last Thursday, round table discussions at the city’s former stud farms connected participants with professionals and specialists, fostering valuable dialogue about these fields.
Beyond professional development, the program emphasizes civic engagement and responsible citizenship. Organizers aim to cultivate future leaders and active community members. “The goal is to train future adults and future actors in society,” Joao stated. “They are beginning to understand that they have responsibilities and it is importent to discuss all of this with them.”
The City of Rodez is further investing in the future of its youth workforce by funding 20 additional Bafa courses specifically for residents interested in pursuing careers in animation. This commitment provides a clear possibility for aspiring facilitators within the community.
