Towards workforce integration through the maintenance of landscaped areas

“On of the parks maintained by Ajie, the Parc de l’an 2000 (Year 2000 Park), has an ecological theme. Everything is done to ensure the site remains viable for the local biodiversity: respect for bird life, insects, and frogs, and protection of threatened plant species… It is a truly amazing experience to visit this park!”
Catherine Lecourt

In Rennes, the municipality of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, the Association jacquolandine pour l’insertion et l’emploi (Ajie), has been working since 1998 to promote the integration of the long-term unemployed. To carry out its task, it has gained a foothold in the maintenance and development of landscaped areas but with a twist: it only uses environmentally friendly methods. For example, it uses gas heat weeding equipment that does not require the use of any water or chemical products.

Soon, six new integration contracts

This approach and the level of demand across the city has enabled the association to steadily grow its business. Ajie currently has six staff members under workforce integration contracts that have a maximum term of two years, and its order book is continuing to grow.
To cope with its growth, it plans to build a new 500-square meter facility that will be used to store equipment, receive client companies and provide a base for the employees under workforce integration contracts. A site has already been found for this new building: it will be erected on a lot made available free-of-charge by the municipality of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande.

The grant made by the fondation Veolia will help Ajie see this project through. Within a few months, this development should make it possible to double the number of employees under workforce integration contracts.