Initiation and traditional knowledge transmission through compagnonnage

This chapter shows why, in what way, for what purpose and how compagnonnage has evolved since the early 20th century and is increasingly proving to be an essential component and force in vocational training. Compagnonnage is generally considered to be the last movement to practice and teach certain ancient professional know-how, to train for excellence in the trade, to closely link the development of the individual to learning the trade and to practice initiation rites specific to the trade. Compagnonnage training involves the progressive transmission of knowledge and know-how, following a long and demanding path. The self of compagnonnage is to be understood as knowledge and the techniques for acquiring and transmitting that knowledge. The term ingenium is borrowed from Descartes, who sought to understand what gives human beings the ability to think and process ideas in a quest for truth.