RTL Today – Employment: Luxembourg loves the students of this Lorraine diploma
three years, a diploma created by the University of Lorraine allows a few students to train each year to work in the Luxembourg financial centre, delighted to be able to welcome these new, highly qualified workers.
In March 2020, a few days before the pandemic, we met Jérôme Charpentier, director of the University diploma (DU) in cross-border taxation. This training accessible from a Bac+4 level was created by the University of Lorraine. It offers, since its first year of existence, training directed to Luxembourglooking for young talent ready to join the financial centre.
Two and a half years later, when a fourth promotion had just joined the diploma, we returned to the site. Now co-managed by Jérôme Germain and Aurélie Dort, lecturers, the DU has confirmed its potential.
Of the twenty students from the 2021-2022 class, the 3rd therefore, all received a job offer in the Grand Duchy. “Between 80 and 90% of them accepted” confirms Jérôme Germain.
Organized as a double course with two other masters (in taxation and business law), the DU is very selective. In addition to an application file, it imposes a heavy workload on students. “Indeed, you have to be serious and disciplined” confirm the lecturer. “But experience shows that our students are able to succeed in this double course in master 2 (Bac+5 level, editor’s note) and then to have brilliant careers, for example in Luxembourg. No one has been the victim of “burn out” or had to stop because of an inhuman workload.”
The effort required will, on the other hand, prepare for what the professional world demands. “If they are asked a lot, or a little more than others, it is because employers also expect a little more than normal. In companies that work in taxation in Luxembourg, in particular, expectations in terms of workload of work, speed, hours of work, are indeed a little higher than the average.”
YOUTH IN A POSITION OF STRENGTH
Luxembourg was naturally seduced by this diploma from Lorraine which offers introductory courses in the country’s taxation. “It often surprises employers, who do not expect students to already have a solid knowledge of Luxembourg law and taxation. Normally, they prepare in-house training so that young employees can adjust their knowledge of Luxembourg law .”
Many companies with vacancies in tax consulting are still involved in the university degree. Through lessons missed by professionals employed in the Grand Duchy, or through invitations to show students their facilities. With the hope of attract and hire highly qualified students early.
In a very remunerative sector but surprisingly subject to recruitment difficulties, young people can even find themselves in a position of strength. “The job market is currently very favorable to new graduates, to job seekers in the field of taxation” confirms Jérôme Germain. Because the positions are numerous but the qualified profiles are lacking.
A situation that favors young people, who can assert their expectations. Not on the salary, already highly optimized, but in terms of quality of life. “Today that’s what makes the difference: they want to feel good at work. It’s becoming common to have one day of telework a week, for example.”
For their part, companies have not made much change in their requirements. French and English remain the two languages most in demand, ahead of German, “one more”. Luxembourgish, on the other hand, is still not a prerequisite, even if it will facilitate “social integration” future employees. A chance for these French students, who live in a region with little interest in the financial sector… And which could still play its role as a reserve of workers for Luxembourg for a long time.
Read also – French cross-border workers will be able to telecommute 34 days a year