Since 2011, Arts et Métiers inthe PHARES program (Par-delà le handicap avancer et réussir des études supérieures, or "Beyond Disability: Moving Forward and Succeeding in Higher Education"). This is a national student mentoring program for secondary school students with disabilities. PHARES is currently operating at the Paris site. Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers sign up as mentors. In this way, they help young people realize that their differences are a strength and that they have everything they need to find their place in society and the world of work.

"The PHARES program is a very enriching human experience. I became aware of the obstacles and difficulties that people with disabilities face. My greatest satisfaction was seeing the change in the attitudes and behaviors of the young people during the program, and having contributed to that change. I also grew thanks to this program." Julie Ghene, tutor in 2013/2014

Raising awareness among tomorrow's managers

As part of the Hanploi & School program, proposed by theCED association, students also benefit from lectures and debates dedicated to managing people with disabilities. As with other aspects of diversity, the school is committed to training talented individuals who can contribute to changing attitudes and practices. Every year since 2014, second-year engineering students at Arts et Métiers site in Arts et Métiers organize the HandiMet week, as part of an academic project. Around ten workshops dedicated to disability management in the workplace are offered to all students and staff at the site.

Another example illustrates the school's commitment. During the annual Arts et Métiers Forum, it organizes a Handicafé© in collaboration with Fedeeh (Student Federation for Dynamic Studies and Employment with a Disability) and Adapt (Association for the Professional Integration of People with Disabilities). This concept, created by Adapt, aims to facilitate meetings between students and young graduates with disabilities and recruiters.

This is also a challenge for engineering schools, where the proportion of female students remains well below that of male students. Promoting science and technology among young girls is a priority for Arts et Métiers. This priority is gradually bearing fruit: in ten years, the percentage of young women enrolled in generalist programs has risen from 9.3% in 2006 to 18% in 2016.

To contribute fully to this dynamic, the school is involved in numerous initiatives at the local and national levels. These initiatives aim in particular to inform middle and high school girls about scientific studies and the diversity of career paths available to engineers.

Gender Equality Plan 

Article 80 of the Civil Service Reform Act of August 6, 2019, made it mandatory to implement a multi-year action plan on professional equality between women and men.
The Civil Service Reform Act reinforces and structures actions in favor of gender equality and the fight against violence.

This reinforcement is explained by the following two observations:
- on the one hand, despite the actions taken so far, significant inequalities between women and men persist;
- on the other hand, the response to gender-based and sexual violence and discrimination still needs to be improved.

Consequently, and logically, higher education institutions, including Arts et Métiers committed to this process and must develop their multi-year action plans by December 31, 2020.

The objectives of this multi-year action plan for gender equality are:
- to assess the current situation at Arts et Métiers;
- to respond to any gaps identified and take corrective action where necessary;
- to regularly evaluate the situation based on indicators defined in the plan;
- communicate on all these elements with a view to increasing efficiency and transparency.

Click here to access the Gender Equality Plan.

Student mentors from the Elles Bougent association

Since 2008, the school has been a partner of the Elles Bougent association, whose goal is to introduce young girls to engineering and technical studies and careers. Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers participate in all of the events organized by the association (networking and career forums, "Women in Engineering" or "Women Innovating for Digital Technology" days, etc.). Many of them are also involved as mentors for Elles Bougent, sharing their experiences.

The school also supports the WoMen'Up association, which is dedicated to promoting gender diversity in the business world by involving younger generations.

"Technology, feminine noun": promoting careers in the industrial sector