On 28 January 2008, Bouygues Construction signed a partnership and sponsorship agreement with Etablissement Public d'Insertion de la Défense (EPIDe), a French government agency for the professional integration of young people, in the presence of Christine Lagarde, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Employment, and Christine Boutin, Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

The agreement stems from a joint determination to assist young people in difficulty in France. EPIDe and Bouygues Construction have thus teamed up to offer customised training programmes to youth unable to enrol in a formal education institution or find employment. The aim is to promote their social and professional integration and improve their prospects.

In the light of Bouygues Construction's ambitious recruitment targets for 2008 – 4,500 new hires in France, including 1,500 site workers – and bright outlook, the group is seeking to establish close and lasting ties with EPIDe to help the agency's motivated trainees. Furthermore, the agreement also attests to Bouygues Construction's desire to play a role in the community, in line with its sustainable development policy.

Bouygues Construction has undertaken to run training courses and programmes at its Gustave Eiffel training centre for the young people regardless of their qualifications. It will offer a large range of courses in the fields of building, civil engineering and electrical contracting and maintenance (e.g. formworker, mason, electrician, construction plant operator). François Jacquel, Bouygues Construction's human resources director and signatory to the partnership agreement, said: "The training we will provide is the first step towards employment. It will enable the young people to get permanent contracts with Bouygues Construction and develop their careers within our construction teams."

The group has also undertaken to support some of EPIDe's sponsorship projects. In the past, Bouygues has donated computer and sports equipment to EPIDe for its centres.

About Bouygues Construction

Bouygues Construction is a global leader with top-ranking positions in the building, civil works and electrical contracting/maintenance markets. It combines the power of a large group with the responsiveness of a network of local companies which deliver innovative solutions for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. Bouygues Construction employs 50,000 people in 60 countries and expects to generate sales of more than 8 billion euros in 2007.

Find out more about Bouygues Construction at: www.bouygues-construction.com

About EPIDe

EPIDe is a government agency run jointly by the French Ministry of Defence and the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Employment. It aims to promote the social and professional integration of young people through a comprehensive education programme designed for long-term success. For this purpose, EPIDe sets up and manages "Défense 2ème chance" centres. It runs a range of customised programmes for young people aged 18 to 21 who have dropped out of school and have not gained any qualifications. The centres host motivated young people who are eager to overcome academic failure and find their place in the community through work. There are currently 22 "Défense 2ème chance" centres. EPIDe develops partnerships and national and international cooperation initiatives with government bodies, companies and public and private training organisations.
Find out more about EPIDe in French at: www.epide.fr