Job Shadow Day Closing Event 2024
The 15th edition of Job Shadow Day concludes with a roundtable discussion on the theme of career readiness
The 15th edition of the Job Shadow Day (JSD) program, which took place from March 25th to March 29th, 2024, brought together participants for a closing event on Tuesday, April 18th. JSD is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, FEDIL – The Voice of Luxembourg’s Industry, the Chamber of Trades, and the Chamber of Commerce.
A total of 200 students from 25 schools participated in the program and were able to discover the role of a business leader with 110 companies. The experience is different from a simple business visit, as students can observe, for a full day, a business leader carrying out daily tasks related to their position. In this way, students can get an idea of the responsibilities that come with being a business leader and gather important insights into professional life.
Nadia Battello, director of the non-profit organisation Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg, explains: : “Initiatives like the Job Shadow Day are of crucial importance for young people. They offer them the unique opportunity to discover the professional world for the first time. Often, students are faced with career choices without truly exploring the realities of the workforce. This discovery is essential for making informed decisions. I strongly encourage all students to seize every opportunity to explore the professional world. These opportunities are valuable and allow for making wonderful discoveries, interacting with inspiring individuals, and getting to know oneself better.”
Panel discussion: «Bridging the gap: Closing the skills divide»
Nicolas Genon, KONE, Laureen Tardy, KPMG et Claude Quintus, HSBC Luxembourg discussed the gaps between the skills acquired by students in school and those they need in the job market. The roundtable was moderated by two students who also participated in Job Shadow Day, Leslie Bodé from the “Lycée des Arts et Métiers” and Alessio Calisti Thill, a student at “Lycée Aline Mayrisch”.
In this context, Alessio Calisti Thill explained that in his opinion, the current educational system is “a bit too focused on theoretical knowledge rather than practical and real experiences.” For him, students need to be better prepared for their professional life: “Soft skills such as communication and problem-solving, as well as time management, are essential in the workplace. Not to mention that many students do not fully understand the expectations of the working world or lack emotional intelligence […].
Nicolas Genon, Branch Manager of KONE Luxembourg emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor during each professional experience in order to learn from them and develop one’s skills. Claude Quintus, Chief Operating Officer at HSBC Luxembourg, adds that enhanced collaboration between schools and companies could contribute to better preparing students for professional life.
Regarding his experience with the Job Shadow Day, Alessio Calisiti Thill revealed: “Thanks to Job Shadow Day, I feel much more confident and ready for my professional life. It’s no secret: the more experience we have, the better prepared we are for what the future holds, and that’s why this program is perfect for all students eager to gain professional experience.
In response to the question of whether Job Shadow Day changes his perspective on young job seekers, Nicolas Genon concludes the roundtable with these beautiful words: “I believe in future “.
Presentation of certificates
The event concluded with the presentation of participation certificates to the students before the traditional group photo.
Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg would like to thank all participating companies:
A Beautiful Green (ABG Sarl-s), Accenture Sarl, Accumalux, ALIPA Group, Amazon, Apollo Strategists, ArcelorMittal Belval & Differdange S.A., ArcelorMittal Bissen & Bettembourg S.A., ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, Arendt & Medernach, Association Luxembourgeoise des Fonds d’Investisement, Baker McKenzie Luxembourg, Bereloptik, BONARIA FRERES SA, Bourse de Luxembourg, BRASSERIE NATIONALE SA, BRINKS, BSP, Cargolux Airlines International S.A, CDCL Promotions, Cebi International S.A., cegecom s.a., CERATIZIT Sarl, Chambre de Commerce, Chambre des Métiers, Cimalux S.A., Gradel, CMA – ROCKHAL, Croix-Rouge luxembougeoise, delaware consulting, DEVOLUX, D-INTERIM.LU, dsl data service luxembourg sarl, DSV Air services SA, Dussmann Service, Econocom PSF SA, Eldoradio, Elisabeth Handicap, European Data Hub, Garage Kruft, Global Facilities SA, Goblet Lavandier & Associés Ingénieurs-Conseils S.A., Goodyear Dunlop Tire Operations SA, Goodyear Operations S.A., GOTOfreedom Executive Search & Recruitment, GROSBUSCH S.A., Guardian Europe S.à.r.l., GUARDIAN LUXGUARD II SàRL, HITEC Luxembourg S.A., House of Startups, House of Training, HSBC Luxembourg, Husky IMS SA, ING LEASE, ING Luxembourg, ISOMONTAGE ISOLATION S.A., IVC Luxembourg sarl, Janus Henderson Investors Europe S.A., KETER LUXEMBOURG, KONE Luxembourg SARL, KPMG Tax and Advisory, Lamesch Exploitation S.A., Les P’tits Bouchons, Lëtzebuerger Journal, Levygraphie Sàrl, Losch, LPEA – Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, LSC Engineering Group, Luxembourg-City Incubator SA, LUXINNOVATION GIE, LUXPLAN, Luxport SA, MATE SA, MICHELMAN INTERNATIONAL SARL, Microlux, Munhowen SA, myHR, NOVUS Renovation s.à r.l. Orange Communications S.A, Paul Wurth S.A., Peakside Capital Advisors, PETRO-CENTER S.A., PGIM Luxembourg S.A., POST, PwC Luxembourg, RTL, Schaeffler Industrial Ceramics, Schroeder & Associés, Simon-Christiasen & Associés, Smart 4 Lux, SNCFL, SOCIPAR SA, SODEXO Luxembourg, SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg, SPRING Professional Luxembourg SA / LHH, Talkwalker Sarl, The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg, branch, THE RECRUITER, Transports HEIN SARL, Trendiction SA, Vinçotte, WANSART Sarl, Wellington Management, Woodworks by inside, Xtend Sarl, ZILMPLAN.