Registration of titles and certificates: a mission that also takes place in the field

The renewal of the registration of titles and certificates with France Compétences requires certifiers to demonstrate the relevance of certification programs and their alignment with labor market needs. This process must reflect a commitment to staying in tune with the expectations of employees and private employers. Therefore, our information gathering and feedback collection rely on fieldwork conducted by our teams, staying as close as possible to the realities of the professions.

"It is essential to stay connected to reality and the expressed needs. We must remain in touch with the field,” says Clémentine Condori, Skills and Certifications Project Manager. She highlights the objectives of the Professional Sectors and Certifications Engineering Department in the process of renewing the registration of RNCP titles and RS certificates, as well as IPERIA’s ambitions on behalf of the branch representing private employers and the home employment sector: listening to employees and private employers, and drawing from their experiences.

Recently, she visited a Shared Childminding Facility (MAM) to spend a day with the employees who founded and work in the childcare facility daily. Their experience, feedback, and suggestions are invaluable in ensuring that the skills outlined in the professional qualification certificate “Working in a MAM” continue to evolve and adapt—always staying as close as possible to real-world needs and employee expectations.

Clémentine Condori was welcomed at MAM Bout’Chou de Lysa in Hennebont, near Lorient (56), by Lynda, accompanied that day by her colleague Manon and Coleen, a trainee currently pursuing a Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle (CAP) in Lorient. This childcare facility opened in 2022: “I had been planning a MAM since 2016,” says Lynda, who initially trained as a medical-psychological assistant. “From the beginning, my project was to welcome children with disabilities.” True to her vision, the MAM currently cares for two children with disabilities. Eager to keep learning, Lynda recently completed two training modules: “Understanding Emotions to Better Support Children in Daily Life” and “Speaking with a Word and a Sign.”

For Lynda, “Accreditation, construction work, administrative tasks, and team cohesion” are key steps and challenges in setting up a MAM, requiring thorough preparation. “I would say that team dynamics are the hardest part to manage,” she adds. While she acknowledges the difficulties of running a MAM, she also expresses the immense joy of welcoming children into a specially designed space, witnessing their growth, socialization, and interactions, and engaging with parents and colleagues."

The insights shared by Lynda and her colleagues, along with their daily experiences, will contribute to the comprehensive documentation we compile. Ultimately, this will help ensure that the certification aligns with the specific needs and realities of the profession. This process involves studying different roles, engaging with training organizations, analyzing calls to the support platform and messages on social media, conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviews, as well as considering sector challenges, institutional feedback, and societal or regulatory developments.

Following this field experience, Clémentine Condori compiled an observation report to support her team’s work on the history and operations of this childcare facility, as well as the skills applied there. What was her takeaway from the day? “On-site, I observed key needs: team cohesion and communication, the critical importance of budgeting, and methodological tools to support horizontal management. We recognize that these topics are essential—they must address industry challenges and remain integral to the skills included in the certifications we develop.”

The next step for IPERIA’s teams is the creation of six-person working groups for each certificate registered in the Specific Directory (RS) and undergoing renewal. These include: "Working in a Shared Childminding Facility (MAM)", "Adapting Home Care for a Child Based on Their Disability", "Adapting Home Care for a Person with Motor Disabilities", "Adapting Home Care for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)", "Supporting an Elderly Person with Cognitive Disorders". These working groups will bring together private employers, family caregivers, employees (childcare workers, childminders, and personal care assistants), training organizations, and professionals with expertise relevant to each certification area (disability, ASD, etc.). By observing participants’ reactions and listening to their analyses, this stage will allow for a deeper examination of each certification’s content and its nuances. The insights gathered will then be compared against the competency framework to refine and enhance the certifications.

We will keep you updated.