Lyon, France – On January 23, 2026, the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne will host the latest edition of the Orientation Night at the Palais de la Bourse. This year, for the first time in its fifteen-year history, the event, traditionally focused on guiding young people in their educational and professional choices, will expand its scope to include active professionals, recent graduates, and individuals undergoing career transitions with a new initiative called Horizon Pro.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Economic Needs
The expansion comes amidst persistent challenges in matching educational outcomes with labor market demands. Annually, approximately 800,000 young people leave the French education system with career paths that do not always align with market expectations. In 2022, 16% of 20-24 year olds were not employed, in education, or in training, while over half of recruitment efforts were deemed difficult by companies. In response to this, career guidance has become a strategic priority for economic stakeholders.
Since 2008, the network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has organized “Orientation Nights” to connect the public with sectors that are actively recruiting. More than 70 such events are held annually across France, attracting nearly 140,000 visitors.
Two Initiatives, One Shared Goal: Continuous Career Development
The Lyon Orientation Night, held for fifteen years, primarily targets middle school students, high school students, university students, and their families. It mobilizes local businesses to showcase various professions, promising sectors, and employment prospects.
This year’s new addition, Horizon Pro, extends this approach to recent graduates, employed individuals, adults in career transition, and job seekers. Its objective is to secure professional pathways and facilitate transitions into high-demand jobs. By bringing both initiatives together at the same location and time, the event fosters direct exchanges between businesses and a diverse range of individuals.
Myriam Bencharaa, President of the Lyon delegation of the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne, emphasized the importance of this evolution: “The transformations in the world of work are accelerating and necessitate rethinking career guidance as a continuous process.”
From Information to Action: Dedicated Spaces for Every Need
Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with businesses and training organizations, and to utilize several dedicated areas:
- Espace Métiers: Meet professionals from over 30 sectors, representing more than 200 in-demand professions.
- Espace Conférences: Attend ten free conferences on various industries and their career opportunities.
- Espace Lab’Orientation: Participate in interactive workshops led by the Regional Youth Information Center. [nuitdelorientation-lyon.fr](https://www.nuitdelorientation-lyon.fr/programme/espace-lab-orientation)
- Espace Psychologues: Benefit from individual consultations with National Education psychologists.
- Espace Parcouréo JAE: Take career orientation tests offered in partnership with Jeunesse Avenir Entreprise.
Young attendees can explore internship and apprenticeship opportunities, while active professionals can investigate new career paths or arrange business meetings through a dedicated application.
An Event Rooted in Recruiting Sectors
More than 30 sectors will be represented at the event, including industry, energy, health, finance, law, technology, training, real estate, tourism, hospitality, commerce, transport, and services. Over 4,000 visitors are expected at the Palais de la Bourse for this edition. This event, along with the successful Mondial des Métiers, which saw a record 105,000 visitors in December 2025, highlights Lyon’s commitment to career development and addressing regional employment needs. [lyon-entreprises.com](https://www.lyon-entreprises.com/actualites/article/mondial-des-metiers-2025-une-frequentation-record-a-eurexpo-lyon) The region also continues to promote professional immersion, with over 70 events scheduled for October 2025, aimed at facilitating job placement and discovery. [lyon-entreprises.com](https://www.lyon-entreprises.com/actualites/article/octobre-2025-le-mois-de-limmersion-professionnelle-revient-en-auvergne-rhone-alpes)
The Université Lumière Lyon 2 is also actively involved in developing orientation skills in higher education, recognizing the continuous evolution of the job market and the need for adaptable professionals. [univ-lyon2.fr](https://www.univ-lyon2.fr/recherche/agenda-scientifique/developper-les-competences-a-sorienter)
Source: [lyon-entreprises.com](https://www.lyon-entreprises.com/actualites/article/a-lyon-la-nuit-de-lorientation-souvre-pour-la-premiere-fois-aux-parcours-de-reconversion-avec-horizon-pro)
