Share
Published on: 16/02/2023Updated on: 16/02/2023
In an inspiring video, professionals and a trainer shed light on the personal carer profession, its deeply human dimension, its different facets, and the benefits of training and certification. An initiative born from our partnership with the Campus of Professions and Qualifications for Autonomy and Inclusion of the Grand Est Region. Among the actors also involved in this project are the Grand Est Region, the National Solidarity Fund for Autonomy, and the Alaji training organization.
A necessary spotlight
By 2030, more than 6 out of 10 personal carers will retire and population aging is accelerating. In 2030, France will have 21 million people aged 60 and over, 3 million more than in 2019, according to the Drees study published in December 2020. To ensure that dependent persons who wish to remain at home as long as possible can do so, it's now necessary to inspire the younger generation to embrace this rewarding profession. First by raising awareness about it, and second by making it more attractive. Our individual employment and domestic work sector understands this well. That's why it's opening up to work-study programs this year. The first apprenticeship sessions should begin shortly.
Training: understanding to provide better support
"During my six-month training on the Personal Carer role, I learned all types of conditions. It enabled me to experience real-life situations in home care, to know what can happen with elderly people, and to understand the risks," explains Martine Tesaluse, a personal carer certified with IPERIA's "Dependency personal carer" (ADVD) qualification. As Marie-Madeleine Nocarot, an Dependency Personal Carer trainer for seven years at ALAJI, an IPERIA-certified training organization, indicates, "you can only help a vulnerable person if you understand their disability or vulnerability."
During training, trainees experience life as a vulnerable person through an aging simulation kit; a practical exercise that helps understand people to support people better. "We can't change their daily life, but we can improve it," says Martine, who finds great fulfillment in her profession.
Key skills for quality support
Beyond core technical know-how, behavioral skills, commonly called "soft skills", are essential. This video illustrates this well. All the speakers emphasize listening skills, communication, empathy, autonomy, and adaptability. These are all skills that can be acquired through experience or training, and which are important to enhance through certification in particular.Evaluated by a certification jury, they are at the heart of our "Dependency personal carer" qualification registered with the National Register of Vocational Qualifications since 2009, which we support alongside the professional branch of individual employment and domestic work.
Sector employees and future employees are fully aware of this, as more of them each year follow and validate a certification pathway. In 2021, 16,750 certifications were awarded by IPERIA, a 52% increase compared to 2020.
Thanks to Martine, Marie-Madeleine and Nadège for their testimonials.
[1] Source: Observatory of Family Employment, FEPEM.
