INFO JDD. Meta and Simplon.co will form meta . pioneers

October 2021. The Facebook group F Gafam with more than 3 billion users changed its name. and becomes dead. A very rare decision, it reflects the desire of the group founded by Mark Zuckerberg to focus its strategy around the metaverse – a virtual world in itself, where everyone can live part of their lives in the form of an avatar. Since then, all sectors of the economy, from digital to finance and mass distribution, have wanted to establish themselves in this new world.

It is still necessary to have the skills to develop this technology, which is still in its infancy. Especially since a study by the IT giant Dell estimates that 85% of 2030 jobs no longer exist. Metaverse-related professions are definitely a part of it. Mita understood this well: and thus the group reveals to Dinar Its cooperation with the French professional training company Simplon.co to launch “Metaverse Academy”.

The metaverse could account for nearly 3% of GDP in 2030

From the start of the 2022 academic year, approximately one hundred students will be welcomed in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Nice. The program will train this “experimental” promotion in two emerging professions: designer and developer specializing in immersive technologies (eg virtual, augmented and mixed reality); To support and assist a technician in the metaverse. Professions that have been identified as priorities by the French General Authority for Competence.

“metaverse is the most significant technological breakthrough we’ve seen since the internet and the mobile internet, and both Europe and France have a very important card to play”, launched Laurent Solly, Meta Vice President for Southern Europe. According to a study by consultancy Analysis Group, activities in the metaverse could account for 2.8% of global GDP in 2030, or $3,000 billion. “If we want to prepare people for the jobs of tomorrow, we have to start today.”The leader continues.

Objective: to develop a French ecosystem

Recognizing the risks, Meta finances the launch of the project thanks to the budget ” Important “, without specifying its size, and offers some virtual reality helmets of its own brand. But the French assures us: “The goal is not to recruit in Meta.” If the group develops its own worldwide applications to design its own metaverse, collaboration is at the heart of the project: Digital revolutions operate through the birth of an ecosystem. We support this logic to build it in France.”Laurent Soleil explains.

Also read – Laurent Solly, VP of Facebook / Meta on the metaverse: “Interactions will be more immersive”

At the end of the program developed by Simplon.co, students will join companies that have already recruited them as interns to work and study during their training. This is the principle of the professional sector defined by the startup: intensive courses through practical work for three to six months, then a period in the company of twelve to eighteen months. A process that guarantees all students who complete a full course to find a job, i.e. an average of 97% of students in promotion, taking into account for example other courses offered by the startup.

Diversity at the heart of the project

“The Metaverse Academy will be a continuation of our activities for nine years, defines Frederic Bardot, Co-Founder and President of the company. This is a comprehensive and free training. » Free entry is made possible through the financial contribution of Meta, but also thanks to the support of the regions where the training centers are located, the companies that employ work-study students and the Pôle emploi. The startup thus stands out from its competitors, as some of its annual programs can cost up to 10,000 euros.

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It is an environment where completely different paths can exist

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“It’s our difference, Frédéric Bardeau is proud. It will change the social appearance of people working in the metaverse. » The new program will primarily target people who are unemployed or undergoing vocational retraining. “We will not analyze resumes, contractor guarantees, But the motivation and desire of the candidates. »“In this sector, there is a huge demand for this diversity by companies. It is an environment where completely different paths can exist.”, abounds with Laurent Soleil, who often quotes bakers, lawyers, and cashiers reorienting themselves. By being in the regions, the two managers insist on a regional dimension to diversify profiles, when digital professions are currently mainly concentrated around the capital.

It remains to find companies ready to hire these students.“They will be the ones to judge the peace of the success of this training, Frederic Bardot trusts. We are optimistic, because many groups are entering the world of luxury, cars and culture … “ Carrefour, among others, has already launched projects in the metaverse, by organizing virtual job interviews in a 3D world. Many groups will follow suit. Provided you find the talent to make it happen.