Project guidance

A human and professional adventure

At MAKS, we believe in the power of learning through experience. We support around thirty people in professional transition through training contracts in accordance with Article 60 and ECOSOC. Over a period of one or two years, they develop their skills while helping us tackle the challenges of digital inclusion in the neighbourhoods near the canal in Anderlecht and Molenbeek.

A Renewed Mandate with ACTIRIS

We are proud to announce that our mandate in the social economy with ACTIRIS has been extended for five years until 2024. This will enable us to continue training infographic designers, PC technicians, digital mediators for adults, multimedia coaches for young people, receptionists and maintenance workers.

Thanks to these ‘Article 60’ contracts for CPAS beneficiaries and ‘ECOSOC’ contracts for Brussels job seekers, our students commit to a programme that combines work and training. It is a professional pathway that develops the skills they need to achieve their ambitions, while building their confidence and experience.

MAKS supervises nearly 30 people in training through employment, making up nearly half of our workforce. These contracts for professional transition are often crucial stages in skill development and self-confidence. When we hire these employees, we believe in them and recognize their potential. We grow their skills by putting them into action, both in terms of “hard skills” for the profession and the “soft skills” needed for teamwork. Trainees gain practical experience and self-confidence, which can have a positive impact on their professional careers. MAKS offers them the chance to develop individually while facing the many challenges of digital inclusion together, and supports them in realizing their career plan.

Three Areas of Learning and the Path to Bilingualism

Trainees can take Dutch or French two half days a week during their working hours, with the goal of understanding and using both languages.

Our approach relies on three areas of learning:

Each Course Participant Has a Personal Coach

Our coaches, trained in the “Inspire Coaching” method of Jef Clement and Roel Desart, play a crucial role in this development. They appreciate and confront the trainees’ efforts and successes, encourage them to surpass themselves and offer support. They act as role models, facilitators and provide constructive feedback on possible areas of improvement.

The Importance of the Personal Development Plan

Central to our approach is the Personal Development Plan (POP), based on the trainee’s self-reflection on his or her needs. This strategic plan provides the necessary activities and training to complete the competence profile of each trainee. The first PDP is established after two to three months of work. The trainee evaluates his or her needs, and together we identify learning priorities based on the professional goal.

Halfway through the trajectory, the PDP is updated (POP 2). We determine together the goal and action plan for the job search, and plan the activities and training for the second and last half of the trajectory.

Validating Competencies

At MAKS, we offer all our employees the opportunity to validate their competencies during working hours. This approach, integrated into our PDP, allows everyone to demonstrate their mastery in various occupations (Receptionist, Business Tutor, Administrative Assistant, Helping Accountant, Career Counselor, Digital Mediator, PC and Network Technician, Cleaning Assistant).

The Certificate of Competence, awarded by an accredited Validation Center, confirms a candidate’s skills in one or more aspects of an occupation. It is obtained after successful completion of a practical test in a simulated work situation, assessed by industry professionals. This validation, completely voluntary and free, offers numerous benefits to workers and values their abilities.

Being part of an Engaged Team

Integration into our teams is gradual, thanks to mutual support and experimentation. Each trainee is part of a “focus solution” team, where the goal is to do the best with the available resources, share difficulties and find concrete solutions together. This approach promotes the development of skills and self-esteem, through participation in innovative and inclusive projects.

Toward a Satisfactory Professional Future

During this process, each trainee follows his or her personal development plan and refines the project to find a job in the new field. At MAKS, we believe in our trainees and give them the tools to believe in themselves. Their commitment and perseverance are essential to taking action together in our EPNs (Espaces Publics Numériques). Our trainees are not only trained for a profession, they become agents of positive change for themselves and for society.