Vocational education: increasing disparities for a fairer system balance

In France, vocational training, a significant part of the economy and training landscape since its establishment in 1970, is set for a transformative shift. The future law on vocational training prioritizes a focus on vulnerable employment groups, addressing the urgency of the employment situation in the country.

The vocational training market, composed of approximately 60,000 organisations, has been an annual investment of around 32.5 billion euros. Companies contribute around 13.1 billion euros, equating to approximately 1.6% of the country's GDP. This investment, as of 2010, was equivalent to the annual GDP of a substantial economy, underscoring its impact.

The proposed refocusing of public vocational training policy is in response to the challenges companies face in recruitment due to gaps in vocational training. The government aims to support young people with little or no qualifications, job seekers, and employees most exposed to economic mutations through this policy shift.

Joel Elkaim, in a recent statement, highlighted the opaque and unfair nature of the current vocational training system. He emphasised the need for simplicity and fairness in the system, sparing its complexity for the benefit of the vulnerable employment groups.

The concrete implementation of this policy shift requires addressing challenging questions. However, the reform in vocational training policy is expected by the end of the year.

The benefits of this refocused vocational training are twofold. Trainees stand to gain practical experience, earn money, and improve their career prospects. Companies, on the other hand, benefit from better-qualified future employees and the potential to enhance their workforce through exchange programs like Erasmus+.

In conclusion, the refocusing of vocational training in France is a step towards a more inclusive and effective training landscape. The reform is set to address the needs of vulnerable employment groups, improve the quality of the workforce, and contribute to the overall economic growth of the country.