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Law No. 2018-771 of September 5, 2018, on the freedom to choose one’s professional future liberalized the apprenticeship training market and reorganized the professional training landscape by facilitating access to continuing education. As a result of these reforms, national spending on training increased by 51% since 2020, reaching €32 billion in 2022, with the State as the main funder.

Regarding apprenticeships, between 2018 and 2023, the number of new apprenticeship contracts grew 2.7 times—from 321,000 to 852,000—driven 62% by the expansion of apprenticeships in higher education, particularly in programs above the two-year post-secondary level.

On the employer side, hiring bonuses for apprentices (€4.6 billion in 2022) may have generated windfall effects, while public support for apprenticeships in higher education appears disproportionate relative to its impact on job placement—positive but diminishing in scale with higher qualification levels. A graduated aid system based on qualification level and company size would improve the efficiency of public spending.

Employers—through the elimination of certain tax exemptions and a revitalization of the additional apprenticeship contribution (CSA)—as well as households, by limiting the social contribution exemptions they receive, could be more involved in the financing effort for apprenticeships, especially at higher education levels, where the added value of the apprenticeship model is lower.

Additionally, the reductions in the funding levels for apprenticeship contracts (NPEC), introduced in 2022 and 2023 to better align with actual costs, could continue, if apprenticeship training centers (CFA) remain financially sustainable in 2023. A deeper reform of the State and industry sector contributions should be initiated starting in 2025.

Regarding professional training, the mission believes that—without restricting the range of training programs eligible under the Personal Training Account (CPF)—increasing user accountability and better guiding them toward certifying programs would be appropriate. This would enhance the effectiveness of the system (e.g., lower dropout rates, more job-oriented training) and ensure the financial sustainability of CPF funding. One option would be the introduction of a graduated co-payment system.

Lastly, concerning career transition programs (PTP and FNE-Training) and training for jobseekers, the joint IGF–IGAS mission considers that these schemes could be more
effectively targeted toward specific populations, and efforts should be made to reduce overlap between programs.

Access to the entire report in French

• Revue des dépenses de formation professionnelle et d’apprentissage