Translations

CGI – SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE GROUP helps young people get established in the world of work

2. Human Rights

Diversity, equal opportunity, and fighting discrimination

Sector Finance / Bank / Insurance

Year 2015

Country France

Transmitter

Context

CGI, a financial institution set up in 1951, is a leader in Motor and Boat financing as well as Debt Refinancing. The company has 800 staff in Europe and 17 branches in France. The challenges of its CSR approach are the same as those of its sales strategy: ensuring the business is sustainable while having an effect on its clients, employees, the environment and society.

In 2011, CGI became the first French company to be assessed for ISO 26000 and achieved the "progression" level. In the social milieu, CGI wishes to foster the integration of young people into the world of work.

Objectives

To help talented young people from disadvantaged areas to establish themselves, by relying on:

the expertise of partner associations who can structure a program for such young people to integrate into working life;
its own staff who bring their skills and experience to bear on mentoring young people in that category and spot talent that will benefit CGI's business.

APPROACH

Partnership with the association ARELI Emergence, which fosters the social and professional advancement of young people from low-income households. It's a system of sponsoring someone into the company and supporting them through successful studies and on into employment. CGI spots talented pupils in their final year at school and partially finances their studies and coaching.

Participation in the Groupe Dynamique d’Embauche (GDE) system run by Réseau Alliances for young graduates with a minimum of 3 years' post-school study aged under 30 and who come from diverse backgrounds. Individual mentoring is offered to the young person, in parallel with group work lasting 3 months in the company, followed up by a 6-month job in the network.

An initiative led with the AJIR Foundation to foster the integration of young people from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

The aim of the AJIR Foundation is to develop the activities of 5 associations in the Nord-Pas de Calais region that facilitate professional success, social promotion and citizenship for "motivated young people" from the region.

CGI's great success has been mainly evident in the strong commitment and motivation of those involved but also that of the management. For example, members of the management team are personally involved in supporting young people as part of the partnership with ARELI Emergence.

The business network to which the partners belong is also a big advantage.

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Allows future employees to be identified, bringing in their diversity and increased motivation to drive forward joint projects successfully.
Gives managers a new perspective on diversity, and continues to improve recruitment methods and company management.