The funding channels for vocational training

Understanding who funds what, and how to leverage each mechanism

Since the law of September 5, 2018, "for the freedom to choose one's professional future," the entire training funding system has been redesigned: collection by URSSAF (the French social security agency), allocation by France Compétences (the national skills development agency), and redistribution via OPCOs (Skills Operators) and the Caisse des Dépôts (a public financial institution). MDConseil Formation helps you navigate this system to finance your training projects.

Key figures for training funding

In 2024, France dedicated 56.6 billion euros to continuing vocational training and apprenticeships. The top three funding bodies are:

  • companies : €16.4 billion, or 29 % of total expenditure (up 1.9 % compared to 2023)
  • OPCOs (skills operators): €12.4 billion, or 22 % of the total
  • the State : 8.7 billion euros, or 15.3 % (excluding public employees).

Source: Budgetary document annexed to the 2026 draft finance law.

How does the training money circulate?

The funding process now follows a well-defined path:

  1. Employers pay each month, via the DSN (Social Security Declaration), the single contribution for vocational training and apprenticeships (CUFPA) to the’URSSAF. They also directly finance the training of their employees.
  2. The URSSAF transfer these mandatory contributions to France Compétences, the national regulatory body.
  3. France Compétences then distributes the funds among the OPCO (skills development plan for very small and small businesses, apprenticeships), the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CPF manager) and France Work (training for job seekers).

Business contributions

The single contribution (CUFPA)

Effective since 1er As of January 2019, the CUFPA (Contribution to Vocational Training and Apprenticeship) combines the vocational training contribution and the apprenticeship tax. It is declared monthly via the DSN (Nominative Social Declaration), like social security contributions. Its rate depends on the number of employees:

  • fewer than 11 employees : 1.23 % of the payroll (0.55 % training contribution + 0.68 % apprenticeship tax)
  • 11 employees or more : 1.68 % (1 % training contribution + 0.68 % apprenticeship tax).

The conventional contribution

Some professional sectors have entered into training agreements requiring additional payments to the OPCO (Skills Operator), beyond the legal minimum. Contact your local OPCO for more information.

Voluntary contribution

Any company can make voluntary payments to its OPCO, without legal or contractual obligation, to finance specific actions and access enhanced services.

Overview of available resources

OPCO funding

OPCOs primarily finance skills development plans for companies with fewer than 50 employees, apprenticeship contracts and collective actions at negotiated rates. Discover OPCO funding.

The FNE-Formation

The government, through the FNE-Formation program, supported training programs related to major transitions (ecological, digital, food, demographic). This program was not renewed for 2025-2026. Learn more about the FNE-Formation program.

The ESF+ 2025

The European Social Fund finances, via certain OPCOs, up to 50% of training costs for in-demand jobs, transitions and transversal skills. Learn more about the ESF+ 2025.

The CPF

The Personal Training Account allows each working person to finance certified or qualifying training throughout their career, including in co-construction with the employer. Learn more about the CPF.

Career changes

The retraining period (since the 1er January 2026) and the Professional Transition Project make it possible to finance a career change. Learn more about retraining funding.

Job seekers

France Travail supports job seekers with Individual Training Assistance (AIF), Operational Preparation for Employment (POE, individual or group), and the Personal Training Account (CPF), which may be supplemented. The first step: validate your project with your France Travail advisor.

Regions and Europe

Regional councils co-finance training for job seekers, young people entering the workforce, and some employees undergoing career transitions. The European Social Fund (ESF+, 2021-2027 programming period) supports public and private projects promoting employment, skills development, and inclusion.

MDConseil Formation supports you

Identifying the right scheme, checking the eligibility of your project, putting together the funding application: our teams guide you at every step to optimize the financing of your training.

Do you have a training project?

MDConseil Formation assists you in identifying the appropriate system and in preparing your funding applications.

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