Apprenticeship from the apprentice's perspective
What are the requirements to become an apprentice?
Be admitted to training
Being admitted to the program is a prerequisite for being able to pursue an apprenticeship. Indicate your intention to become an apprentice when you apply.
Maximum age
To become an apprentice, you must be under 30 years of age (30 years minus 1 day) on the date the apprenticeship contract begins.
There are, however, exceptions where the apprentice may be over 30 years of age:
- Apprentice recognized as a disabled worker benefiting from RQTH (recognition of disabled worker status)
- Apprentice planning to start or take over a business requiring a degree
- Apprentice registered as a high-level athlete
Foreign nationals from outside the European Union must provide a residence permit authorizing them to work in France (employee status).
Who can help you with your procedures?
Various services are available to assist you:
- The Apprentice Training Center (CFA EnSup LR) is the main provider of apprenticeships at the University of Montpellier. Once you have been admitted to the program, it will assist you with the necessary steps until your contract is signed and will handle all administrative matters throughout the program.
- The University's Joint University Information, Guidance, and Career Services (SCUIO-IP) can help you clarify your career plans and better guide you, or reorient you.
- A dedicated apprenticeship service is available in most departments of the University. You can find out about apprenticeship programs and the steps to take to become an apprentice.
How do I find a host company?
Finding a company is an essential step in your journey to becoming an apprentice. It is advisable to start your search early in order to develop and consolidate your apprenticeship plan.
In general, it is preferable for candidates to find their own host company. However, the CFA EnSup-LR, in association with each program director, can advise or assist you in this process after you have been admitted to the program.
Most programs only offer apprenticeships in the final year(s) (e.g., M2 BUT 2~3). If you are currently in your first year, don't hesitate to contact your academic advisor to complete your training as an apprentice.
What are the steps to follow?
Don't wait until the last minute; start the process 1 year to 6 months before the start of the training program. First, define your career goals and find out about the specific conditions for accessing apprenticeship training programs.
Application form and admission to the training program
Starting in the 2021 academic year, the procedure will be entirely paperless. Candidates selected by the teaching teams will receive a link to register on the CFA portal. Once registration is complete, the employer will also receive a link to enter information online on the employer platform.
To help you with the process, CFA ENSUPLR has created an explanatory video for future apprentices.
In certain training programs—which are entirely apprenticeship-based—signing an employment contract may also be a prerequisite for enrollment.
Signing of the contract
The apprenticeship contract is an employment contract requiring the company and the apprentice to agree on the terms of recruitment and work.
Once the employer has entered the information online and completed the tasks to be assigned to the apprentice, the training manager is responsible for validating the tasks.
The apprenticeship contract may be concluded no earlier than three months before the start of training and no later than three months after it begins. It includes a trial period of 45 consecutive or non-consecutive days starting on the first day at the company.
For more information, please see the section on apprenticeship contracts on the service.public.fr website.
