Work-study program

A work-study programme is a way to learn a trade and improve employability, whilst continuing to learn at school. It includes two types of contracts: an apprenticeship contract and a professional training contract.

THE BENEFITS OF A WORK-STUDY COURSE

  • Earn a degree or qualification from a wide range of professions
  • Training is free
  • Opportunity to put theory into practice
  • Be compensated during training as an employee
  • Find a job more easily thanks to the experience gained working at a company

(As part of the apprenticeship contract, the apprentice can receive financial support for their “B” driving licence)

APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACT

Who’s it for?

The apprenticeship contract is aimed at 16-29-year-olds, but the maximum age may be increased to 35 years in specific cases, for example, if you have a disability, if you are planning to create or take over a business, or if you are a high-level athlete.

What types of companies can take on apprentices?

The craft, trade, industry and farming sectors, employers in the voluntary sector, self-employed professionals,
employers in the non-industrial and commercial public sector (central government, local government and hospital and public administrative establishments) are all eligible.

What do you get once you complete the apprenticeship contract?

Upon completion of an apprenticeship contract, the student will obtain a State diploma (CAP, BAC, BTS, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, etc.) or a vocational qualification registered at the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications).

What type of contract is it and for how long?

Apprenticeship contracts are fixed-term contracts (CDD) or permanent contracts (CDI).

They generally last two years, unless an exemption is granted, in which case they can be shorter (six months) or longer (three years) or even extended to four years for those with disabilities.

What’s the salary?

Pay for an apprenticeship contract increases with age, i.e., with each new year of the contract. The minimum wage that the apprentice receives corresponds to a percentage of the SMIC (guaranteed minimum growth wage) or the SMC (statutory minimum wage) for those over 21 years of age.

Important : Useful tip

If you fail the exam, the contract can be extended for a maximum of one year with the same employer or a new employer with a new contract.

If the student has difficulty finding an employer, they can begin training in a CFA (Apprentice Training Centre) as a vocational trainee.
Nevertheless, the student will have a period of three months after the beginning of the academic year to sign a contract with an employer with the help of their CFA.

The employer must designate an apprenticeship supervisor whose task is to monitor and evaluate the young apprentice.

Financial support

Financial support from the State and the Grand Est region is also in place for students with an apprenticeship contract. You can find out more on this website: https://www.grandest.fr/unmetier-unavenir/

THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CONTRACT

Who’s it for?

The professional training contract is aimed at 16-25-year-olds, job seekers over 26 years old, RSA (active solidarity income) recipients, ASS (specific solidarity allowance) recipients, AAH (disabled adult allowance) recipients, and people who have received a government-subsidised contract.

What types of companies can take on young people on a professional training contract?

Any company that is able to finance continuing vocational training (apart from the French civil service) is likely to take on a young person for a professional training contract.

What do you get once you complete the professional training contract?

This contract allows you to obtain a recognised vocational qualification (degree or professional qualification listed in the RNCP), a certificate of professional qualification (CQP) or a qualification recognised in the classifications of a national collective agreement.

What type of contract is it and for how long?

Professional contracts are fixed-term contracts (CDD) or permanent contracts (CDI).
They generally last from six months to one year, or even three years in some cases. Training must last a minimum of 150 hours, no matter the type of contract.

What’s the salary?

Professional contracts are fixed-term contracts (CDD) or permanent contracts (CDI).
They generally last from six months to one year, or even three years in some cases. Training must last a minimum of 150 hours, no matter the type of contract.

The pay for the professional training contract varies depending on the level of training and the age of the apprentice.

In general, it corresponds to 55% of the guaranteed minimum growth wage for those under 21 years of age, 70% of the guaranteed minimum growth wage for those over 21 years of age and 100% of the guaranteed minimum growth wage for job seekers aged 26 and over.

Important : Useful tip

The professional training contract may be renewed once in the event of illness or failing to achieve the diploma, for example.

It must include training measures to be taken, i.e., periods of work in a company and periods of training.

A tutor must be designated by the employer, and it is mandatory to provide the young person with guidance in their role in the company.

Important information for those undertaking one of these two schemes:

The working time for a work-study student is generally 35 hours per week (training time at the CFA is included in the working time for apprentices).

The rights of the work-study student are the same as those of a company employee, such as five weeks minimum of paid holiday, sick pay, maternity leave, work-related accident, etc.

Many schools offer apprenticeship contracts and professional training contracts in their training programmes.

Here’s a list of some institutes in Reims offering apprenticeship and professional training contracts
  • AFPAM Formation
  • AFTRAL – Transport and Logistics Apprentice Training Centre
  • Marne BTP Apprentice Training Centre
  • Champagne-Ardenne Industry Apprentice Training Centre
  • DIFCAM Banking and Insurance Apprentice Training Centre
  • Grand Est National Conservatoire of Arts and Trades
  • CREPS Sports Centre
  • EPSI – School of Computer Science
  • ESUPCOM Reims
  • Groupe Silvya Terrade
  • IFAG – Institute of Business and Management Training
  • IFA – Training Institute for Paramedics
  • IRTS – Regional Institute of Social Work
  • ISFEC – Catholic Higher Training Institute of Education
  • Lycée Colbert secondary school
  • Lycée Georges Brière secondary school
  • Lycée Gustave Eiffel secondary school
  • Lycée Joliot-Curie secondary school
  • Lycée Libergier secondary school
  • Lycée Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle secondary school
  • Lycée Saint Michel secondary school
  • MAESTRIS Reims
  • Mediaschool – ECS Reims
  • NEOMA Business School
  • PIXEM Institute
  • Health & Life Science Apprentice Training Centre – Pasteur Training Centre
  • UFVC Champagne-Ardenne
  • URCA (University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne)

To find out more about this type of training, get in touch with the institutes that interest you.

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Last update : 23 June 2022