The Cité des métiers – cité-métiers.ch, l'expo – is Switzerland's largest careers and training fair. First held in 2001, it was born of a desire to promote vocational training and strengthen ties between schools, companies and institutions. Taking place every three years, the fair now attracts almost 100 000 visitors, including 31 000 schoolchildren, and has established itself as a venue for careers guidance and discovery in French-speaking Switzerland and the neighbouring area of France.
From 25 to 30 November, visitors to the 2025 edition at Palexpo will be able to discover more than 400 professions in 17 themed areas... and CERN will be in the spotlight. At the CERN stand, “CERN, Accelerating the Talent of the Future”, which will cover an area of more than 1000 square metres, visitors will be able to play Proton Football, try out all the professions covered by CERN’s learning centre, take a virtual tour of the Laboratory's facilities, plunge into the future of robotics and take part in numerous demos presenting the wealth of professions at CERN in a fun and interactive way.
"Students from IPAC Design Geneva took up the challenge of designing the CERN stand”, says Mélissa Gaillard, who is in charge of local communications at CERN. “The winning project, 'La Toile', pays homage to the birth of the World Wide Web at CERN by embodying the idea of a living network where the flow of knowledge, collaborations and professions intersect. Woven from reusable ribbons and modular structures, the scenography offers an immersive and sustainable experience, symbolising a collective scientific ecosystem that’s open to everyone. Don't miss it!”
CERN’s presence at the Cité des métiers is an opportunity to strengthen its ties with the region and to showcase the diversity of its professions (over 250!) and programmes to a wide audience. Although CERN is an international organisation, its local roots are of key importance. Taking part in this event is a way of inspiring young people, promoting vocational training and showing that science is accessible to everyone.
“We strongly encourage members of the CERN community and their families and friends to come and visit the Cité des métiers and the CERN stand”, continues Mélissa Gaillard. “Whatever your profession at CERN, there are 249 others to discover!”
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The exhibition "The Faces of CERN: People Advancing Science", which was created for the stand, will be on display in the Globe of Science and Innovation from 16 December.
For more information, visit Cité des métiers. Admission is free and open to everyone!