When learning goes hand in hand with excellence
Combining higher education with real-world work experience: that’s the winning combination for landing a job. This approach has a name: the apprenticeship. It’s no secret: apprenticeships are a prime pathway to employment.
What is the secret to this winning formula? A program designed around the needs of businesses and tailored to sectors with high demand. From short-term training to master’s degrees, and from generalist programs to engineering degrees, work-study programs are now available in a wide variety of fields.
The Fast Track to Employment
This alternative to “traditional” education allows students to acquire both advanced theoretical skills and practical experience. Work-study programs are thus an excellent way to build connections with a company. A real advantage for entering the workforce: 80% of students find a job upon completing their program.
Students also benefit from another significant advantage: under the apprenticeship contract, they receive compensation that can reach up to 78% of the minimum wage. They even have the luxury of planning for their retirement while still in college: the years spent in apprenticeship count as full years toward retirement benefits…
Work-study programs at university: a winning choice
Are you an employee and a college student? It’s a winning combination. Long associated with short-term vocational programs (CAP, BEP), work-study programs have now made their way into universities.“There’s still a tendency to think that apprenticeships are for pre-baccalaureate trades, yet there’s strong demand from companies for apprentices with higher education degrees,” notes Emmanuel Vignal, vice president for professional development at UM.
At the university level, apprenticeships now range from the DUT to engineering degrees. And it offers career opportunities in sectors as varied as agronomy, hospitality, chemistry, and the cultural arts… If you choose a long-term program, the work-study master’s degree is for you: a high-level university education… with the added benefit of practical experience.
Since January, the Higher Education Apprentice Training Center (CFA ENSUP-LR) has brought together all stakeholders in higher education at the regional level. This unprecedented collaboration has earned the academic site a €2 million grant under the Investments for the Future program[i]. In addition to the construction of an administrative and educational center, about 100 housing units will soon be built to accommodate work-study students.
“The realities of business”
Alexandre, enrolled in a master’s program in accounting and management and an apprentice at an accounting firm:
“I chose this path to get a firsthand look at the realities of the business world. Between my classes and real-world experience, I realized there were some discrepancies. I was also drawn to the financial compensation—78% of the minimum wage in my case… Before, I had to work a part-time job on weekends, which left me very little time for myself. My contract is coming to an end now, but there’s a good chance my employer will keep me on. The work-study program requires a lot of commitment, and the beginning can be tough, but for me, it’s been a very good experience.”
More info
The members of the Higher Education Apprenticeship Training Center: University of Montpellier, Montpellier SupAgro, Paul Valéry University of Montpellier, National School of Chemistry of Montpellier, University of Nîmes, University of Perpignan Via Domitia.
[i] The Region, the CROUS, and the regional education authority contribute the remaining funds, bringing the total to 7.7 million euros.