The V.I.E PROGRAMME (French International Internship) Laurence de Touchet International Cooperation Ubifrance
WHAT IS THE V.I.E ABOUT? Created in September 2001 under the aegis of the Ministry for Foreign Trade to promote French export abroad, the V.I.E programme is managed by UBIFRANCE, the French Agency for International Business Development. To reinforce the international development of French companies, while offering young graduates an opportunity to benefit from a formation experience abroad. A FLEXIBLE PROGRAMME The V.I.E programme allows French companies to send young European graduates, between the age of 18 and 28, on a working assignment abroad for a period varying between 6 up to 24 months, renewable once, to match it specific needs. No contractual tie between the Company and the V.I.E, who is under the authority of the Secretary of State in charge of foreign trade and as such, the V.I.E enjoys a public status within a protective framework. A SIMPLIFIED MANAGEMENT UBIFRANCE handles all the administrative aspects of V.I.E assignment thus c ompagnies can focus merely on the operational activity and be as hassle-free as possible.
WHO CAN USE IT? This programme is open to corporations under French law as well as French Companies which contribute to the internationalization of the economic activity of businesses. No matter : The size of the company The type of assignment The number of assignments The V.I.E carries out his assignment, located abroad in the host country, within a host organization which may be a subsidiary, a representative office or any other entity tied through a partnership agreement.
WHAT KIND OF ASSIGNMENTS ARE ENTRUSTED TO A V.I.E? ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIAL AND TECHNICAL MISSIONS : Market studies, commercial canvassing Overseeing of a new contract Production and quality control, audit R&D, Technical analysis, engineering Financial Markets analysis FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF : Length of the assignment (from 6 up to 24 months, renewable once within the 24 months) Geographical coverage (1 up to 8 countries ) Possibility to share the V.I.E between 2 or more companies => regional V.I.E The intern may spend up to 165 days in France to familiarize himself with the company products and services.
SOME ASSIGNMENTS Laurent, 24 years old Sound engineer Mission: sales recruitment of suppliers Sector: software publisher SME (less than 10 w age earners) Length: 2 years Raphaël, 26 years old Computer engineer (IFSIC) Mission: follow -up of a park of satellite beacons, customer relationship management, users training Sector: data capture by satellite SME (less than 200 w age earners) Length: 18 months Christophe, 28 years old Graduated from ESC Lille Mission: commercial follow -up and installation of a logistic platform Sector: Pet Food Industry SME (300 w orkers) Length: 2 years Lorenz, 27 years old (German) Civil engineer Mission: Project Management (construction of a purification station) Group (6000 w ages eager) Length: 16 months Thomas, 25 years old Graduated from ESC Lille Mission: product manager assistant, market studies Sector: Agribusiness Large company Length: 1 year Jean-Marie, 24 years old Agricultural engineer Mission: commercial development of a Moroccan branch Sector: agronomy Engineering and design department (5 w orkers) Length: 2 years Sebastian, 27ans Accountant (DESCF) Mission: account, administration and financial management Sector: Handling equipment Large company (550 w ages earners) Length: 21 months Antoine, 28 years old Architect DPLG Mission: design facades and roof of a commercial and cultural complex of 90 000 m². Sector: Construction Large company Length: 17 months Vivien, 24 years old Civil Engineer Mission: planning and management of project on specifics building sites Sector: Construction Large company Length : 17 months Emilie, 25 years old Graduated from EM Lyon Mission: Strategic marketing, benchmarking and development Sector: pharmacy Large company Length: 18 months Agnes, 25 years old Graduated from IFI DESCI Mission: sales representative for five SME Sector: Agribusiness Length: 18 months Alvaro, 26 years old INT Management, MBA Mission: Launch of a subsidiary, management of the local team and distributors. Sector: Pet food Industry Large Company (2500 w ages eager) Length: 2 years Anne-Line, 25 years old Graduated from ESSEC, MBA Mission: analysis of the hospital market sector Sector: Health Large company Length: 1 year
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES? Young person between 18 and 28 years of age. It is open to young French candidates of all educational backgrounds as well as to young people from the European Economic Area More than 45 000 motivated candidates seeking work abroad The list can be consulted on www.ubifrance.fr Highly skilled and operational young men and women 58% aged between 25 and 28 with professional experience 80% have more than 5 years of study in higher educational level Nearly half are graduates from an Engineering or Business School The candidates are from France or the European Economic Area, with an international profile Most of them have already worked abroad and are fluent in several languages. UBIFRANCE can help you to find a candidate and to spread your new assignment. Ubifrance promotes the VIE through schools or higher education and youth career orientation centres, and registers applicants
ADVANTAGES FOR THE CANDIDATES THE ALLOWANCE IS NOT SUBJECT TO TAXES IN FRANCE Between 1 300 to 3 800 per month according to the country. A PROTECTIVE PUBLIC STATUS Welfare protection contracted by UBIFRANCE on behalf of the Company The V.I.E is retirement contribution-free during the assignment period The V.I.E is under the protection of the French Embassy in the country of assignment OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER The rate of employment of VIEs is of 94% after an assignment 95% of polled companies considered the VIE pool as recruitment ground A rewarding experience well-recognized by recruiters
WHAT IS THE COST OF A V.I.E? THE COST OF A VIE INCLUDES : The V.I.E s monthly allowance Administration and social protection costs may vary according to the number of V.I.E employed and the company turnover (from 210 to 407 per month) Travel and luggage transport costs (return ticket). Various charges linked to the assignment : professional trips, office running costs
V.I.E KEY FIGURES (source : UBIFRANCE Database) Since the beginning of the V.I.E programme (2001), around 41 000 interns hav e been assigned abroad for more than 4700 companies. Currently, 1723 participating companies Worldwide Top activities 1. Finance & banking 2. ICT 3. Transport Logistic 4. Serv ices 5. Energy 6. Agro food 7. Health and 466 V.I.E in assignment from: Spain 181 Italy 65 Portugal 27 Belgium 27 Germany 26 Poland 24 12% and 7796 V.I.E in assignment 4% 11% 49% 3% 21% Top 10 countries 1. Germany 2. United States 3. UK 4. Belgium 5. China 6. Singapore 7. Canada 8. Luxemburg 9. Italy 10. UEA Average duration of assignment : 17 months Average age of the V.I.E : 25 years
YES YES HOW DO I RECRUIT A V.I.E? Does your company in France have certification to have a VIE? Submit your application for certification to UBIFRANCE (form available online at www.ubifrance.fr) Have you already identified a candidate? Send the description of the post to the HR in France. Search and selection of a candidate Place offer of post online Consult the CV database Participation in V.I.E and/or school Forums Consult UBIFRANCE for a personalized search Request for a VIE placement The French company fills in a placement request form underlining the length and objective of the assignment, the type of host company and country and the selected candidate. Integration of the V.I.E Duration : from 6 to 8 weeks The host company is responsible for obtaining the visa and/or work permit. UBIFRANCE can provide relevant information. One information day at UBIFRANCE prior to posting in France to begin training, or direct posting in host company.
KEYS TO SUCCESS THE V.I.E TRAINING MAY TAKE PLACE Either at the beginning of the assignment in your company in France (165 days maximum). Or before the mission, within the framework of a short term employment contract or an internship. THE V.I.E INTEGRATION The attendance at the orientation meeting organized in Paris by UBIFRANCE is compulsory. It aims to inform the V.I.E of his rights and his obligations. On site, the French Trade Commission receives the V.I.E and reminds him of his role and his obligations. It will also be able to advise him with his personal administration. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE V.I.E The management of the V.I.E and his work orientation must be the initial concern of the resident manager who defines precise objectives and ensures regular follow up. END OF ASSIGNMENT The V.I.E carries out a review with his direct manager. Companies can study the possibility of recruiting the V.IE within the company (67% of our users declared having offered a job to a VIE at the end of their assignment).
IN BREF AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXPATRIATION AND LOCAL RECRUITMENT A SIMPLIFIED MANAGEMENT OF YOUR TEAM ABROAD A FLEXIBLE SCHEME FOR THE COMPANY AND SECURE FOR THE INTERN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT POTENTIAL NEW RECRUITS 81% OF OUR CLIENTS RECOMMEND OUR V.I.E SERVICES TO OTHER COMPANIES OF SIMILAR PROFILE (source : CSA survey 2011)