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 take a look at the reasons behind this success with Philippe Pierrot and Marie-Elisabeth Avignon from the CFA EnSup-LR.
“Experience required: 2 years.” This small note at the bottom of a job posting is a bitter reality for many recent graduates. Yet a solution exists: apprenticeships. In fact, nearly all higher education programs are now available through apprenticeships. “Law, science, business, the 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 this applies to all degrees.”
Launched more than 25 years ago, apprenticeships in higher education have grown by more than 100% over the past ten years. And the trend continues:“When the CFA was founded in 2015, we had just under 1,100 apprentices; today, we have more than 2,700,” says Marie-Elisabeth Avignon, the deputy director. Supported by the University of Montpellier, the CFA EnSup-LR brings together six institutions:Paul-Valéry University, the Universities of Nîmes and Perpignan,Institut Agro – Montpellier SupAgro,the École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, and, of course, theUM. “The apprentices are spread throughout the region, across 40 sites from Narbonne to Florac, including Nîmes, Perpignan, Mende, Carcassonne, Alès, Béziers, Sète, and, of course, Montpellier,” explains Philippe Pierrot.
The Double Life of Apprentices
A far cry from the outdated image of an apprenticeship program reserved for young people who struggle with traditional academic studies, apprenticeships in higher education require a high level of motivation from the students who choose this path.“Those who embark on this path know they’ll have to give much more than a traditional student. They’ll take the same courses, cover the same material, and sit the same exams as in a traditional program, all while pursuing their studies in a company setting,” explains the director. And they do so with a graduation rate of 95 percent.
To enable them to lead this dual life, the teaching staff adapts to the specific requirements and schedules of each activity.“In certain fields, such as accounting, for example, it is essential that apprentices be fully available during the year-end financial statements,” explains Marie-Elisabeth Avignon.
Apprenticeship status thus requires maturity and discipline but offers numerous benefits. In addition to providing a salary that allows those with limited financial means to pursue an education, this program enables young people to gain additional skills beyond those acquired through initial training. Moreover, they build a professional network that will facilitate their entry into the workforce.“Only 6% of apprentices have not found a job six months after graduating. For bachelor’s and professional master’s degrees, as well as engineering school graduates, the employment rate is nearly 100%,” says Philippe Pierrot. Once on the job, they will also advance to positions of responsibility more quickly.
A Win-Win Agreement
In practical terms, an apprenticeship contract works 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 degree being pursued.“Apprentices enjoy the same rights as any other employee of the company and the same benefits, such as health insurance and meal vouchers. The CFA assists them in finding an employer and with the administrative aspects of their contract,” emphasizes Philippe Pierrot. A minimum wage is set by law, but the company may, of course, pay more. Finally, the company commits to supervising the student by appointing an apprenticeship mentor.
Today, more than 2,190 employers work with the CFA EnSup-LR, representing companies of all types and sizes. While 60% of these are located in Occitanie, the CFA also works with companies in the Île-de-France region, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, and elsewhere. Apprenticeships are not limited to the private sector; universities, the tax administration, the French postal service, and hospitals also recruit apprentices.“It’s a highly effective pre-recruitment program that gives companies access to new skills—and, for some of them, to skills they otherwise couldn’t afford. It’s truly a win-win situation,” says Marie-Elisabeth Avignon.
A driving force for educational change
While setting up a work-study program requires a significant commitment from the teaching staff, it also allows the program to evolve based on feedback from students working in companies. The 25 members of the CFA EnSup-LR team support this evolution. “We’re here to support the teaching staff not only during the program’s implementation but also throughout its duration. We serve as the liaison with the companies and provide guidance throughout the year,” concludes Philippe Pierrot. A MOOC and webinars are also available on the CFA’s website—providing opportunities to continue learning how to learn.