“
I wanted to do manual, concrete, and above all sensible work,
” says Jessica.
This mother, who previously worked in digital, wanted to “
leave something
”.
“
I've always been drawn to craftsmanship.
So I thought, if I'm not doing it for myself, why not do it for my daughter?
".
This attraction for craft trades is reflected in the growing number of companies created in these fields, according to a study published in the "
craft barometer
", carried out by the Institut Supérieur des Métiers, with the support of the MAAF.
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“
In 2021, the number of craft business creations reached a record in France: nearly 250,000 craft businesses were created in France, an increase of 13% compared to 2019,
” according to the MAAF.
Figures confirmed by La Bonne Graine - École d'Ameublement de Paris, which has also recorded a stronger interest in crafts since the end of the pandemic.
“
COVID has been a real accelerator, even a revealing element for young people in terms of their vocation.
We have 30% more staff in apprenticeship,
” explains Lucie Teneur, head of retraining training.
“
State aid probably also played its part in this increase.
“, she adds.
The rise of craft activity can be seen clearly in this graph.
MAAF/ "Barometer of crafts" Higher Institute of Trades, Press release
“
For me, the Covid has valued local craftsmanship.
I also noticed a new consumer trend
”, adds Jessica.
This desire to be an actor favoring a new mode of consumption could be one of the keys to explaining these impressive figures.
Thomas Cecini, deputy regional director of economic and territorial development at the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) in Île-de-France, nevertheless tempers the “
romantic side of COVID, triggering element of awareness
”.
If "
the health crisis and the successive confinements have led many French people [...] to make the choice to reorient themselves towards professions of passion
" as affirmed by the "
barometer of crafts
“, the fact remains that such a retraining generally supposes having “
a spouse who provides on the side
”, underlines Thomas Cecini.
Jessica had put money aside to finance her conversion;
however, the employment of his partner, an executive at the time, offered some security.
“
I wanted to be in accordance with my values and act in the face of societal and environmental problems.
Says Jessica, who has turned her passion into her job.
Photo taken by a relative
Finally, while the creation of craft businesses has jumped by 23% in rural areas according to the ISM's "
craft barometer
", Thomas Cecini wishes to recall the different realities depending on the territory: in Ile- de-France (IdF), a region with nearly 275,000 craft businesses, "
the figure is globally stable, even if we note an upward trend in rural employment areas, with 17% new registrations in these territories against 15% throughout the IdF region
”.
For example, Jessica started her business in a garage in the suburbs of Paris, near Sèvres, to soon pack up in the direction of Nantes to continue her business.
“
I feel in accordance with my values
concludes Jessica.
A key criterion now for the French on the job market, who are looking for jobs with meaning.
