A rapidly growing training market
The turnover of training organisations in the area of vocational training and apprenticeships reached 28.7 billion euros in 2023, representing an increase of +3 % compared to 2022. This dynamic can be explained by the rise of digital training, the growing engagement of individuals via the CPF, the investment of companies in the face of technological changes and the development of apprenticeship.
Individuals, active participants in their professional journey
The Personal Training Account (CPF) has become the main means of individual access to training. In 2022, 1.85 million people used the CPF, mobilizing 1.6 billion euros.
The figures reveal a strong awareness: 74% of employed individuals anticipate changes in their work, and for 90% of them, professional training is essential to cope with these changes. 77% believe that everyone should be responsible for their own training path.
Companies, with varying levels of commitment
Article L6321-1 of the French Labor Code requires all employers to ensure that their employees adapt to their positions and maintain their employability. In practical terms, each company pays the CUFPA (Single Contribution to Vocational Training and Apprenticeship): 1.23 % of the payroll for fewer than 11 employees, 1.68 % for 11 employees and more.
In 2024, companies dedicated 16.4 billion euros to training (+1.9% compared to 2023). However, significant disparities in access remain: 23% of employees in small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) participated in at least one training course in 2023, compared to 76% in companies with 1,000 employees or more. Significant sectoral disparities also exist: 16% in agriculture, 54% in industry, and 77% in finance.
How to choose a training organization?
Some essential criteria: programs, teaching formats, qualifications and certifications, budget, location. Before signing a contract, check:
- there declaration of activity with the DREETS
- there Qualiopi certification, mandatory since 2022 for training courses financed by public or pooled funds
- the possible specific authorizations required for certain training courses
- Customer references and reviews.
Training organizations
France counts 87,800 training organizations (2022), representing an increase of 6% compared to 2021, driven by individual trainers (+18% of training providers). The private sector accounts for 98% of the total number of organizations (42% of individual trainers, 43% of for-profit organizations, and 13% of associations), but the 2% of public organizations generate 21% of the total revenue. MDConseil Formation is a Qualiopi-certified training provider.
France Compétences, regulator of the system
Founded in 2019, France Compétences is the national body for the governance and funding of training. Its missions:
- Finance centralizes mandatory contributions and redistributes them to OPCOs, sectors and regions
- Regulating quality : defines the criteria for the Qualiopi label, publishes the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP)
- Evaluate and prospect : formulates recommendations on training policies and observes the evolution of the labour market.
The OPCOs, support providers and funders
Skills Operators replaced the OPCA in 2019. three missions :
- Funding the skills development plan and local services for very small and small businesses (fewer than 50 employees)
- Funding work-study programs (apprenticeships, professional training)
- To provide technical support to professional sectors on workforce planning, levels of support and certifications.
THE 11 OPCO cover all professional sectors:
- Opcommerce — commerce (20 branches)
- Atlas — financial services, consulting, accounting expertise (14 branches)
- OPCO Santé — health and social care (4 branches)
- Afdas — culture, media, sport, tourism (31 branches)
- Uniformation — social cohesion (18 branches)
- OPCO EP — local businesses (54 sectors)
- Akto — labor-intensive services (24 branches)
- Ocapiat — agriculture, fishing, agri-food (50 branches)
- OPCO 2i — industries (29 branches)
- Constructys — building and public works (3 branches)
- OPCO Mobilités — transport (17 branches)
The other key players
The Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDC)
As the manager of the CPF (Personal Training Account) since 2019, the CDC credits the rights of assets and informs via MyTrainingAccount and directly settles with training organizations.
The URSSAF
Since 2022, URSSAF has been collecting monthly contributions to vocational training and the apprenticeship tax paid by companies, then transferring them to France Compétences.
France Work
A public operator created in January 2024 (merger of Pôle Emploi and the Local Missions), France Travail provides individual support to job seekers, finances training through Individual Training Assistance (AIF) and POE, and directs them towards existing schemes.
The Career Development Advisory Service (CEP)
A free and personalized service offered by France Travail and other operators. It supports all working people in their reflection on their career plans and informs them about available resources.
Transitions Pro (regional associations)
Successors to the Fongecif, these regional joint associations process applications for Professional Transition Projects (PTP), support career changes and develop Career Development Counseling. transitionspro.fr