De l’or dans les mains aims to re-establish the link between theoretical learning and hands-on practice in order to promote manual skills.
Today, in France, there is no time during their schooling when young people can learn craftsmanship and the pleasure of working with their hands. Millions of pupils are being deprived of the opportunity to reveal their talents and potential through manual trades.
Founded in 2021, De l’or dans les mains works to integrate manual skills into the education system. The association develops educational programmes tied to the school curriculum that enable secondary school pupils to make an object or try out a craft with a craftsman.
The project will enable 5,200 young people from more than 40 secondary schools in six regions of France to benefit from the "Je découvre les métiers manuels" (Discovering manual trades) programme, thanks to the involvement of more than 500 craftspeople and living heritage businesses. The scheme, which runs during school hours, combines hands-on craftwork with professionals to allow each participant to discover nine different trades, with classroom time where teachers use the association’s teaching tools to demonstrate the links between their subjects and craftwork.
