When Learning Goes Hand in Hand with Higher Education
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 preferred pathway to employment.
What is the key to this winning formula? A program focused on the needs of businesses and geared toward sectors with high demand. From short-term training to master’s degrees, and from generalist programs to engineering degrees, work-study programs are now being implemented in a wide variety of fields.
The Royal Road to Employment
This alternative to “traditional” education allows students to acquire both high-level theoretical skills and practical experience. The work-study program is 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 enjoy another significant benefit: under the apprenticeship contract, they receive compensation of up to 78% of the minimum wage (SMIC). They even have the luxury of planning for their retirement while still in college: the years spent in an apprenticeship count as full years toward their retirement benefits…
Work-Study Programs at the University: A Winning Choice
Are you an employee at a company and a college student? It’s a winning combination. Long associated with short-term secondary-level programs (CAP, BEP), work-study programs have now made their way into universities.“There’s still a tendency to think that apprenticeships are only for jobs that don’t require a high school diploma, yet there’s strong demand from companies for apprentices with college degrees,” notes Emmanuel Vignal, vice president for professional development atUM.
At the university level, work-study programs now range from the DUT to engineering degrees. And it offers career opportunities in sectors as varied as agronomy, hospitality, chemistry, and the cultural sector… If you’re looking for a long-term program, the work-study master’s degree is for you: a high-level university education… with practical experience to boot.
Since January, the Higher Education Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA ENSUP-LR) has brought together all stakeholders in higher education at the regional level. This unprecedented collaboration has earned the academic campus a 2 million euro 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 higher university degree 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 student job on the 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 dedication, and the beginning can be tough, but for me, it’s been a very good experience.”
More info
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 office contribute the remaining funds, bringing the total to 7.7 million euros.