The Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has created a training center dedicated to nautical activities in the Alpes-Maritimes. The inauguration of this program took place on Friday, January 23, at the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer, in the presence of Bernard Kleynhoff, President of the CCI.
The Nice Côte d’Azur CCI manages four ports, including the Darse in Villefranche-sur-Mer. They decided to develop a training program dedicated to yachting there. According to Bernard Kleynhoff, President of the CCI, “It was necessary to offer young people from the Côte d’Azur a work-study training program in line with the importance of nautical and yachting activities on the Côte d’Azur. Companies in this sector, through the Nautical Industry Federation, are seeking skills acquired through work-study programs.”
This training center is dedicated to the repair, restoration, and marketing of pleasure boats and yachts. “It symbolizes our CCI’s commitment to working for the territory and continuing to invest in training for businesses, the region, and young people,” announces Bernard Kleynhoff.
Cooperation with the INB
To successfully carry out this project, the CCI has partnered with the Institut Nautique de Bretagne (INB), France’s leading professional training center for nautical professions. Several training programs will be offered by the center: a CAP in pleasure boat repair and maintenance, a BAC PRO in nautical maintenance, and a Level III title in technical-commercial roles in the nautical industry and services, offered through work-study.
“At INB Côte d’Azur, we offer training for versatile technicians in nautical maintenance and a bachelor’s degree level program for technical-commercial roles in nautical services and industry. Our approach is skills-focused. We therefore train them on real materials. For this reason, two boats—the result of a partnership with the Bonifacio Nautical School—will be completely restored by our young people. This is actually an order,” explains José Deville, Director of INB Côte d’Azur.
“After restoration, our young people will sail to Bonifacio to return these two boats to the clients. Indeed, our young people also have navigation skills as they obtain a coastal or even offshore license at the bachelor’s level, and skills in navigation,” he continues.
All training programs are work-study. They are open to all types of audiences, from age 16. CAP and BAC PRO type programs are intended for young people leaving middle or high school. As for professional programs, they are open to everyone. “In this case, we truly learn how to become a good maintenance technician. This training reaches a broad audience and even includes companies in transition,” concludes José Deville.
For now, the four students present say they are pleased with this project. They unanimously agree that it is a good initiative which allows them to obtain a diploma in a field they love.
