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BOURBON signs the Charter of Business Commitment to Equal Opportunity in Education

Paris, January 31, 2007

On December 13, 2006, BOURBON signed, along with forty other major French groups, a charter of Business Commitment to Equal Opportunity in Education in the presence of Gilles de Robien, French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research. Developed at the initiative of the Ministry, the primary goal of this Charter is to strengthen partnerships between the national education system and companies. By signing this Charter, the companies made a commitment to:

  • develop tutoring, sponsorship, academic and financial support programs to assist students from economically disadvantaged or rural areas to succeed;
  • help students and teachers to discover the world of business and the business environment through company internships;
  • recruit young graduates from economically disadvantaged territories.

!!!!MoreOn December 13, 2006, BOURBON signed, along with forty other major French groups, a charter of Business Commitment to Equal Opportunity in Education in the presence of Gilles de Robien, French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research. Developed at the initiative of the Ministry, the primary goal of this Charter is to strengthen partnerships between the national education system and companies. By signing this Charter, the companies made a commitment to:

  • develop tutoring, sponsorship, academic and financial support programs to assist students from economically disadvantaged or rural areas to succeed;
  • help students and teachers to discover the world of business and the business environment through company internships;
  • recruit young graduates from economically disadvantaged territories.

The companies that signed the Charter will join the "national network of companies serving equal opportunity in education" created to facilitate the development of initiatives and strengthen the national dynamism. The various programs regularly conducted by BOURBON completely reflect the goals of this initiative:

  • information programs in the high schools
  • training programs in the universities
  • a policy of internships onshore and offshore
  • educational partnerships with schools
  • assistance in developing new certification courses.

This commitment, which is emblematic of the company's values, is the concrete manifestation of socially responsible policy and behavior implemented by BOURBON for many years. Since 2001, BOURBON has developed tangible and innovative training and information solutions through partnerships with professional educational institutions. In collaboration with National Merchant Marine Schools, BOURBON regularly offers students information programs on all the components of the companies of the offshore oil and gas marine services market. In addition, BOURBON regularly works with vocational high schools to direct young students from the BEP level to the professional baccalaureate and then to the merchant marine training (Option B or Option 2). Today recognized as a major path to social advancement, the Option B training that BOURBON helped to create leads students to the positions of Captain or Chief Engineer. BOURBON welcomes a large number of French and international students onboard its vessels under internships or professional training contracts in order to participate in their general training and give them experience in the very specialized offshore marine services sector. In addition to its educational program, BOURBON is working to develop public/private partnerships, to contribute its expertise and develop training centers dedicated to the trades involved in offshore oil and gas marine services. One successful example is the training center at the National Merchant Marine School in Marseilles, the result of the partnership with BOURBON, which integrates the latest technological innovations and provides quality training. This type of project is possible only with the support of a large number of participants, including the French government, the Regional Council for the Pyrenees-Alps-Riviera region, the General Council of Bouches du Rhône, the City of Marseilles and others. This will for partnership is also implemented at the international level through various programs conducted in the countries where BOURBON operates. Thus, for several years, BOURBON has been assisting young African seamen (Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola?) by offering them the opportunity to earn international certification and become Officers. Thierry Buzulier, BOURBON Human Resources Manager, explains:

"The values shared by the men and women of BOURBON are strong and present every day: professionalism, responsibility, enthusiasm, solidarity ? Today more than ever, we see no growth without sharing. Our signature on the Charter for Business Commitment to Equal Opportunity in Education is completely "real". BOURBON will also sign the "Charter of Diversity in Business" in the near future.

To learn more:
National Merchant Marine Schools
Marine Vocational High Schools
Training courses for Officers of the Merchant Marine
Press release of June 23, 2004

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