2023-07-19 06:03:59
– When upgrading objects helps to find work
Managed by the Éveil association, the PlusValue project gives objects a second life and a new chance for job seekers.
Posted today at 08:03
Steven Kadima, on the left, carries the PlusValue project for the association l’Éveil in Lausanne. Yann Sanchez, who accompanies him, is one of the beneficiaries of this measure.
Laurent de Senarclens
It seems a long time ago when we went to the northern halls of Beaulieu, mask on the nose, to get vaccinated. Since the spring of 2022, different entities have nicely occupied the space. Among them, l’Éveil, a public utility association which proposes social and professional reintegration measures for the city of Lausanne, the canton of Vaud and the Disability Insurance Office.
In Beaulieu, l’Éveil has been developing PlusValue since mid-January, a learning business concept created in German-speaking Switzerland, where it is called “Projekt Restwert”. “We are the first and only franchise of the project in Romandie”, indicates the manager Steven Kadima. The idea: to sell objects on the Internet for individuals who wish to part with them but do not want to worry about putting them online and monitoring transactions.
Located in Beaulieu, a pop-up shop allows the public to touch and try some of the items offered for sale on Ricardo by PlusValue.
Laurent de Senarclens
“We operate as a collection point where people come to entrust us with their clothes, shoes, accessories or trinkets. Then it is our beneficiaries – we call them “participants” – who take care of the entire process of listing on the trading partner, the Ricardo auction platform. Each seller receives 70% of the price when the auction is successful, we keep 20% for our structure and the remaining 10% goes to Ricardo.”
Online and on site
Like any other seller on Ricardo, PlusValue has an account and a page where you can find your items for sale. Moreover, and this is unique in Switzerland, there are Beaulieu a physical “pop-up” shop where to touch and try on some of the items.
Eight participants run PlusValue. The stock consists mainly of clothing, but there are also rarities, such as floorball goals or a nutcracker in the shape of a cat soldier. “We accept all items in good condition that are not obsolete,” says Steven Kadima. CDs, DVDs, VHS cassettes or CRT televisions are not accepted. Each property is auctioned for a maximum of forty days, with three possible price reductions. “If it is unsold, the supplier can either take back their item or bequeath it to us to donate to charity.”
“This project is also a testing ground that we use to assess the skills and professional posture of people in reintegration in general.”
Steven Kadima
Customer contact, accounting, inventory, content management, correspondence, marketing, communication, image processing, teamwork or even sending parcels: each participant has the opportunity to become familiar with different sectors and professions. But not only. “This project is also a testing ground that we use to assess, in general, the skills and professional posture of people in reintegration, develops Steven Kadima. To see if they have a good relationship with the hierarchy, with colleagues, if they are punctual and manage to respond to the instructions given. And then it allows them to stay in a dynamic and a rhythm of work and to increase their employability.
Yann Sanchez, 35, is one of the participants following the PlusValue reintegration measure. “Like the other people who work here, I take care of the entire process of putting an object up for sale, from welcoming the supplier, to writing the description of the ad and sending the package, including setting the right price for each item.”
Yann was once a commercial employee, but he was unable to flourish professionally. Thanks to Awakening, he was able to gain confidence, acquire and perfect his skills in communication, the field in which he now wishes to orient himself. “In addition to the operational part of the project, I manage the Instagram account of PlusValue, the writing of press releases and explanatory flyers.” “Yann is a bit like the face of this project”, comments Steven Kadima.
The Éveil team is teeming with ideas that fit into the concept of the circular economy. Among the projects in progress, a weekly textile upgrading or “upcycling” workshop.
During this workshop, anyone can give new style to used clothes by modifying or repairing them in one way or another. A shirt with an old-fashioned cut and somewhat boring stripes can thus become an ultra-desirable piece of streetwear thanks to the flocking of a logo, a design or embroidery.
A model of a virtuous circular economy, PlusValue is also a great way to give back a trajectory to people in professional difficulty. “I’ve seen people arrive here completely closed in on themselves and then gradually open up and regain confidence,” notes Steven Kadima. For me, this project is a safe space where you feel good and where you can learn to manage responsibilities one by one, without the insidious pressure that you can feel in some companies, adds Yann Sanchez. A space where you can develop to better get back into the world of work afterwards.”
To put your objects up for sale via the PlusValue project, simply go to the first floor of the Halles Nord de Beaulieu, avenue des Bergières 10, in Lausanne. Opening hours: Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on Friday
Catherine Cochard is a journalist for the Vaud section and is interested in social issues. She also produces podcasts. Previously, she notably worked for Le Temps and as an independent director for the University of Zurich.More info@catherincochard
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