205 Life Is On | Schneider Electric www.se.com Chapter 2 – Sustainable development Strategic Report 2. Thanks to SIE’s expertise in entrepreneurship, it is regularly called upon to develop training courses in this field. SIE is highly active in the promotion of spin-offs (business creation and takeover support for employees), in particular through the DIESE association made up of other major groups. Since 2008, SEI teams have showcased and rewarded the six most creative projects for company creation or takeover by employees of the Group through the Vivez l’Aventure competition. This competition and the prize-giving bring together many managers from the Group as well as political and economic figures. This event is an opportunity to reaffirm the important role this scheme plays in the Group’s values and strategy. The SIE teams manage many actions to contribute to local economic development, for example: • Specific missions within the fabric of the local SMEs (small and medium enterprises) carried out by Schneider Electric senior experts or missions in the framework of skills-based sponsorship ( Alizé system) ; • Pass Compétences, which allows experienced managers to take long-term assignments with SMEs. These experts invest in structuring and strategic development projects for SMEs; • Support for organizations dedicated to the creation of activities and companies (Réseau Entreprendre, France Initiative, etc.) ; • Supports employees who want a career path external to the Group within the framework of a skills-based sponsorship system called Pass Associations. It enables employees to work on defining projects with partner associations or NGOs for one or two years. It encompasses all types of professions, and there are some 30 effective assignments each year. These specific systems are valued and taken into account in human resources processes and management in France.