For the first edition of the Employment Forum organized by OGC Nice, in collaboration with the city and Pole Emploi, success was evident with 6,000 people attending between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nearly 800 job offers were proposed by about fifty companies present, making the Forum a true reference in the region.
The atmosphere was similar to that of major sports events at the Allianz Riviera, though not for a big football match. Planned well in advance and prepared for over three months, OGC Nice organized the Employment Forum in the presidential lounge with assistance from the city of Nice, Pole Emploi, and the Union of Professional Football Clubs (UCPF). Success was already evident before the doors opened at 10 a.m., with a well-filled parking lot and a queue at the entrance.
“A football club also engages in social actions, but they receive less media coverage. This forum represents three months of work from our teams. OGC Nice wants to give a chance to those in difficulty and show that football conveys more than just action on the field,” explains Jean-Pierre Rivère, president of OGC Nice.
On the agenda were nearly 50 companies present, and for this occasion, which is rare, there was no entrance fee for setting up a booth. In return, companies were committed to offering at least 10 job offers. Among the best-known companies were Orange, Malongo, Carrefour, Crédit Agricole, and regional ones such as Pizzorno, Mutuelles du Soleil, Adecco Nice-Carros, not forgetting the Metropole Nice-Côte d’Azur.
“We appreciate the companies that participated; everyone played their part. This event shows that employment and growth are priorities today. The Allianz Riviera is not just a place to play football; this stadium is multifunctional. The city is happy to host this forum in such a symbolic location,” acknowledges Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice.
Proof of the success, by 12 p.m., nearly 2,000 people had entered the Allianz Riviera, and more than 5,000 by 3 p.m. At some stands, the wait time even reached 30 to 40 minutes. This event is also part of the “Supporters of Employment” program implemented by the Professional Football League (LFP) and the UCPF. Before Nice, Le Havre and Lyon hosted an Employment Forum, with Troyes, Evian, and Rennes to follow in 2015.
Significant announcements were made during this first edition. The president of OGC Nice, Jean-Pierre Rivère, invited all job seekers who attended the Forum to the Coupe de la Ligue match between Nice and Metz on Wednesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. A draw was also held, and one person won two box seats for the next match, Nice vs. Bastia, on Saturday, October 18, at 8 p.m.
Since 2013, the Communal Social Action Center and OGC Nice have been working together to benefit the underprivileged in the field of sports.
During the visit to the reception platform for people in severe hardship managed by the social services of the Communal Social Action Center of Nice, Joëlle Martinaux and Jean-Pierre Rivère will present the schedule of sports activities for “Solidarity Gym.”
