The Rise of Apprentices in Higher Education
Since 2005, the number of apprentices in France has more than doubled, largely thanks to the significant growth of apprenticeships in higher education. In 2020, more than 2,700 students and 2,190 companies made this win-win choice in our region. We look back at the reasons for this success with Philippe Pierrot and Marie-Elisabeth Avignon from CFA EnSup-LR .
“ Experience required: 2 years .” This small note at the bottom of a job posting is a bitter pill for many recent graduates to swallow. Yet, there is a solution: apprenticeships. In fact, almost all higher education programs are now available through apprenticeships. “ Law, science, business, environment, technology, agri-food, management… More than 200 programs are offered as apprenticeships in the Languedoc-Roussillon region,” explains Philippe Pierrot, director of the CFA EnSup-LR. “And all degrees are included .”
Launched over 25 years ago, apprenticeships in higher education have seen growth of over 100% in the last ten years. And the trend continues: " When the CFA (Apprenticeship Training Center) was created in 2015, we were supporting just under 1,100 apprentices; today we have over 2,700, " announces Marie-Elisabeth Avignon, the deputy director. Led by the University of Montpellier, the CFA EnSup-LR brings together six entities: Paul-Valéry University , the Universities of Nîmes and Perpignan , the Agro-Montpellier SupAgro Institute , the National Graduate School of Chemistry of Montpellier , and of course, the University of Montpellier. “ The apprentices are present throughout the territory, i.e. 40 sites from Narbonne to Florac, passing through Nîmes, Perpignan, Mende, Carcassonne, Alès, Béziers, Sète and of course Montpellier, ” explains Philippe Pierrot.
The double life of apprentices
Far removed from the outdated image of apprenticeships as reserved for young people ill-suited to academics, apprenticeships in higher education demand a high level of motivation from the students who choose them. " Those who embark on this path know they will have to give much more than a traditional student. They will have the same courses, the same content, the same exams as in initial training, all while pursuing their career path within a company, " explains the director. And this with a 95% graduation rate.
To enable them to lead this dual life, the teaching teams adapt to the specificities and schedules of each activity. " In certain fields such as accounting, for example, it is imperative that apprentices be fully available at the time of end-of-year reviews ," illustrates Marie-Elisabeth Avignon.
An apprenticeship requires maturity and discipline but offers numerous advantages. Beyond providing a salary that makes higher education accessible to those with limited means, this program allows young people to acquire additional skills compared to traditional training. Furthermore, they build a professional network that facilitates their entry into the workforce. " Only 6% of apprentices haven't found employment six months after graduation. For bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as for engineering school graduates, the placement rate is close to 100%, " states Philippe Pierrot. Once employed, they will also gain access to responsibilities more quickly.
A win-win contract
From a practical standpoint, an apprenticeship contract functions exactly like an employment contract. It is signed by both parties, the apprentice and the company, and can last from six months to three years depending on the qualification being pursued. " Apprentices have the same rights as any other employee of the company and the same benefits such as health insurance and meal vouchers. The CFA (Apprenticeship Training Center) supports them in finding an employer and in the administrative management of their contract, " emphasizes Philippe Pierrot. A minimum salary is set by law, but the company can, of course, exceed this. Finally, the company commits to mentoring the student by appointing a master craftsman/mentor.
Today, more than 2,190 employers collaborate with the EnSup-LR Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA) , representing companies of all types and sizes. While 60% of them are located in the Occitanie region, the CFA also works with companies in the Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions, among others. Apprenticeships are not limited to the private sector; universities, tax offices, the postal service, and hospitals also recruit apprentices. " It's a very effective pre-recruitment system that allows companies to access new skills, and for some, skills they couldn't otherwise afford. It's truly a win-win situation, " says Marie-Elisabeth Avignon.
A driver of educational change
While implementing a work-study program requires a significant commitment from the teaching staff, it also allows the training to evolve thanks to feedback from students in companies. This evolution is supported by the 25 members of the CFA EnSup-LR team. " We are here to support the teaching staff during the implementation of the program, but also throughout its duration. We act as a liaison with the companies and advise them throughout the year, " concludes Philippe Pierrot. A MOOC and webinars are also available on the CFA website. Plenty to keep learning how to learn.