12/12: Week 12 - Compagnons du Devoirs
Category: Week 12 - Compagnons du Devoir
Posted by: troachadmin
The Compagnons du Devoirs is the descendant of the medieval guilds, begun around the 12th century with the construction of the cathedrals. The Compagnons carry on the traditional techniques of 24 trades and crafts, including stonecutter, roofer, upholsterer and baker. The training is based on a culture of apprenticeship, communal living, and a multi-year voyage of improvement called the "Tour de France".
The training process typically begins with young men and woman at the end of "lycée", at age 16 years old. It is a 3-stage process.
1. Apprentice or "Stagiere": The students spend two years working and living together in one of 84 training centers across France. In addition to learning the fundamentals of their chosen trade, they are also educated in mathematics, English, etc. The students balance class time with on-the-job training with a company.
2. "Aspirant" or "Affilié": Student in the couse of perfecting their skills via their personal "Tour de France". They spend 6 months to a year with one jobsite or company, then rotate to another, and so on. This process can last 5 to 6 years.
3. Compagnons: The title is earned after the student has demonstrated their capabilities with a master work. Within the Compagnons, there are different levels of mastery. The highest level is marked with the attachment of a gold ring in each earlobe. This mark of achievement is readily visible and immediately recognized on the jobsite.
From what I observed, there is a direct link between the high level of craftsmanship and responsibility developed by the Compagnons and the system of construction in France which favors direct contracts with the trades over a general contract who then subcontracts to the trades. This has been an interesting point of discussion with craftsman and architects alike. The French believe their system provides better quality craftsmanship. Perhaps they are right. But the tradition of journeyman and craftsmanship is jeopardized by the capitalist tenet that efficiency is achieved through standardization and repetition. When the mind is separated from the hand, quality may be harder to attain and retain. The challenge in both countries is to keep individuals engaged. Another challenge is the integrated nature of renewable energy technologies, such as solar power that involves multiple trades (roofing, electrical systems, possibly carpentry).
The Compagnons also offer continuating education courses for craftsmen and professionals. While in Angers, I had the opportunity to sit in on one day of a 9-day course for architects and engineers teaching how to design and build with wood. Unlike the USA, wood construction is not part of typical architectural or engineering training in France. With the climate change discussion, wood is being encouraged in France as a renewable resource. Both wood construction and wood pellet boilers.
Three different components of the Compagnons generously introduced me to their process, know-how (savoir faire), responsibilities, and some of their current challenges :
Institut des Métiers du Sanitaire et du Génie Climatique – IMSGC in Nancy, Yann DUHAL, Director (of the Institute of Plumbing & HVAC Department)
Institut de la Charpente et de la Construction Bois – ICCB in Angers, Daniel COUDERT, Director (of the Institute of Carpenters and Wood Construction)
Friday, Koen Grieten, International Relations, accompanied me to Lille to show me Kbane, a new concept store for sustainable home improvements.
Many thanks to Yann, Daniel, Koen, and their colleagues for their warm welcome and interesting discussions.
The professions of Les Compagnons du Devoir:
stonecutter, mason, carpenter wood constructor, roofer, plumber-heating engineer, locksmith-metalsmith, joiner, plasterer-patternmaker-fibrous plasterer, painter, upholsterer, cabinetmaker, gardener-landscape architect, cooper/barrel-maker, body repairman, boiler maker, mechanic constructor, electrician, precision mechanic, blacksmith, horseshoer, cobbler, leather goods maker, harness maker, baker, pastry chef.
The training process typically begins with young men and woman at the end of "lycée", at age 16 years old. It is a 3-stage process.
1. Apprentice or "Stagiere": The students spend two years working and living together in one of 84 training centers across France. In addition to learning the fundamentals of their chosen trade, they are also educated in mathematics, English, etc. The students balance class time with on-the-job training with a company.
2. "Aspirant" or "Affilié": Student in the couse of perfecting their skills via their personal "Tour de France". They spend 6 months to a year with one jobsite or company, then rotate to another, and so on. This process can last 5 to 6 years.
3. Compagnons: The title is earned after the student has demonstrated their capabilities with a master work. Within the Compagnons, there are different levels of mastery. The highest level is marked with the attachment of a gold ring in each earlobe. This mark of achievement is readily visible and immediately recognized on the jobsite.
From what I observed, there is a direct link between the high level of craftsmanship and responsibility developed by the Compagnons and the system of construction in France which favors direct contracts with the trades over a general contract who then subcontracts to the trades. This has been an interesting point of discussion with craftsman and architects alike. The French believe their system provides better quality craftsmanship. Perhaps they are right. But the tradition of journeyman and craftsmanship is jeopardized by the capitalist tenet that efficiency is achieved through standardization and repetition. When the mind is separated from the hand, quality may be harder to attain and retain. The challenge in both countries is to keep individuals engaged. Another challenge is the integrated nature of renewable energy technologies, such as solar power that involves multiple trades (roofing, electrical systems, possibly carpentry).
The Compagnons also offer continuating education courses for craftsmen and professionals. While in Angers, I had the opportunity to sit in on one day of a 9-day course for architects and engineers teaching how to design and build with wood. Unlike the USA, wood construction is not part of typical architectural or engineering training in France. With the climate change discussion, wood is being encouraged in France as a renewable resource. Both wood construction and wood pellet boilers.
Three different components of the Compagnons generously introduced me to their process, know-how (savoir faire), responsibilities, and some of their current challenges :
Institut des Métiers du Sanitaire et du Génie Climatique – IMSGC in Nancy, Yann DUHAL, Director (of the Institute of Plumbing & HVAC Department)
Institut de la Charpente et de la Construction Bois – ICCB in Angers, Daniel COUDERT, Director (of the Institute of Carpenters and Wood Construction)
Friday, Koen Grieten, International Relations, accompanied me to Lille to show me Kbane, a new concept store for sustainable home improvements.
Many thanks to Yann, Daniel, Koen, and their colleagues for their warm welcome and interesting discussions.
The professions of Les Compagnons du Devoir:
stonecutter, mason, carpenter wood constructor, roofer, plumber-heating engineer, locksmith-metalsmith, joiner, plasterer-patternmaker-fibrous plasterer, painter, upholsterer, cabinetmaker, gardener-landscape architect, cooper/barrel-maker, body repairman, boiler maker, mechanic constructor, electrician, precision mechanic, blacksmith, horseshoer, cobbler, leather goods maker, harness maker, baker, pastry chef.
