On September 20, 2024, the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes hosted the inaugural #CertifDays, an event organized by a coalition of leading certification bodies: ETS, ICDL France, Tosa Certifications, Certification Le Robert, and Certification Voltaire. This landmark gathering brought together certifiers, funders, and key stakeholders in training and employment to address four pivotal themes:
- Enhancing employability and mobility
- Ensuring the objectivity of skills assessment
- Promoting equal opportunities
- Supporting competitiveness in the workforce
Opening Keynote by Olivier Dussopt
The event was inaugurated by Olivier Dussopt, former Minister of Labour and guest of honour, who delivered a compelling keynote. He underscored the vital role of certifications in improving access to employment and providing formal recognition of essential skills, emphasizing their impact on modern labour markets.
Highlights from the Day
The program featured a series of dynamic panel discussions, each focusing on key aspects of certification and its role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow:
- Certifications for Equal Opportunities
Experts from public and private sectors explored how certifications can bridge gaps in lifelong learning, particularly for adults with lower educational backgrounds. - Quality and Regulation
Contributions from the High Commissioner for Vocational Education and Training, alongside representatives of France’s largest federation of training centres, tackled the importance of maintaining high standards in certifications. - Anatomy of a Certification
Insights from the main regulatory body in France and AFNOR Certifications shed light on the rigorous processes that ensure certifications remain relevant and credible. - Corporate Recognition
Speakers from the national employment agency and elite business schools discussed how certifications are increasingly valued by employers across diverse industries. - Skills of Tomorrow
Thought leaders from independent think tanks and CEDEFOP shared perspectives on the evolving skills landscape and the certifications needed to address future workforce demands.
A Milestone in Collaboration
The first edition of CertifDays was hailed as a resounding success, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration between certification bodies and employment stakeholders. It reaffirmed the critical role certifications play in building a more equitable and competitive labour market.
Christopher Sullivan, CEO of ICDL France and a key member of the CertifDays collective, expressed both pride and ambition:
“Notwithstanding the success of this first edition, our ambition is to become the largest group of certification bodies. Once the organisation is structured, it will allow us to acquire a better positioning of skills recognition in funding schemes and better acknowledgement form public and private organisations.”
CertifDays 2024 set a strong foundation for future initiatives, paving the way for certifications to drive innovation and inclusivity in the workforce.
