On March 13, 2025, the Pont du Gard welcomed over 450 job seekers for the 16th edition of the annual job fair, Rencontres de l'emploi, organized by the Communauté de communes du Pont du Gard (CCPG). Running from 9 AM to noon, the event attracted notable interest with more than 42 companies present, offering 580 job opportunities across diverse sectors including tourism, agriculture, personal services, industry, hospitality, and the army.
The CCPG reported record attendance this year, stating, "We expect to reach 450 attendees by noon." Marie-Laure Escriva, an advisor for France Travail, commented, "By 10 AM, we were already over 400 people, indicating significant interest and engagement from the community." The increase is attributed to the current economic climate, with many individuals seeking stable employment due to greater job security becoming increasingly elusive.
During the event, job seekers such as Damien, who previously worked in agriculture, expressed hope for new career paths. "I worked in agriculture before, but I wanted to explore other opportunities, particularly chemistry. My advisor mentioned this job fair, so I came. I have a meeting with Sanofi in 10 minutes, which is perfect because I live nearby!"
Young professionals also took the opportunity to secure summer employment. Anna, 20 years old, shared her motivation for attending, stating, "I am on the hunt for my first job to help fund my studies. I'm still deciding between agriculture and hospitality. I came with my resume, so we’ll see how it goes!" Looking for his first summer job as well, Anthony, 19 years old, mentioned, "I'm interested in getting hired this summer so I can buy my first car. I’d love to try working in hospitality."
The job fair offered various support services alongside potential employers, with facilitators addressing various issues such as mobility assistance, disability employment, and local mission support. An organizer pointed out, "All these stands are here to break down barriers to employment. Although we don’t have precise data about contracts signed today, we want these fairs to remain accessible to everyone." Another organizer noted the positive response from employers, stating, "We have seen greater interest and more serious candidates this year. Companies like the Hospital of Uzès and the Glacerie d'Uzès noted the variety and quality of applicants compared to previous years."
One standout feature of this year’s fair was the increasing interest among employers, especially the stand for the Pont du Gard, which sought servers, maintenance staff, and visitor mediators. Due to overwhelming demand, the CCPG even expanded the space to accommodate job seekers, with long lines forming as attendees waited for assistance. “We even had to add extra space to handle the turnout,” concluded the CCPG, already optimistic about the next event scheduled for 2026.
The Rencontres de l'emploi at Pont du Gard proved to be more than just another job fair; it highlighted the shifting dynamics of the labor market where many individuals actively seek to pivot their careers or secure their first employment. With businesses embraced by potential hires eager to work, the event marked another successful year of bridging gaps between job seekers and employers.