Professional
Training :
The Ultimate Guide (2022)

According to a study in February 2021 by Centre Inffo in partnership with CSA (1), vocational training is seen as an incentive for a better job performance without becoming tired of the job (90%). Likewise, 89% of those interviewed described it as an opporytunity to progress, get promoted or gain new opportunities.

Training is at the point where the individual needs of employees are combined with the economic and strategic goals of the company.

But what precisely does professional training mean? What are the objectives and challenges? And how are professional trainings financed? What are the trends and new developments in the world of training?This guide will help you to have a better understanding of the evolution of vocational training till date.

Ce guide vous aidera à mieux comprendre l'évolution de la formation professionnelle à ce jour.

  
Chapter I

What is vocational training?

What is professional training?

The Definition of professional training

Defined by article L6111-1 du Code du travail, vocational training is an individual right that allows each person to train in the skills required for a job.

The right to training is available to everyone, irrespective of status or occupation, it gives each one the opportunity to acquire professional knowledge. This is primarily with the aim of entering the labour market, and opening up access to training in order to maintain and develop expertise throughout one's career.

For this reason, vocational training as described in the Labour Code is divided into two categories : initial training which concerns the younger people engaged in learning a profession and those who have already entered the labour market and are seeking to develop their skills.

The differences between initial and continuing vocational training

As noted earlier, the primary difference between these two training systems is the target audience but there are other differences as well.

Initial Training

Initial vocational training is part of the continuation of the educational process. It corresponds to the lessons taken by young people as part of their training for a defined profession before entering the workforce.

Conducted by high schools and colleges, initial training is full-time and is designed to provide diplomas at the end of the training.

After two years of initial training, the student enters the continuing education system to pursue the rest of their professional career.


 Professional continuation

Continuing education targets a wider audience: employees, the self-employed and job seekers. The methods of entry are different and adapted to the demands of the professional life.

For example, it is possible to follow a continuing education program during or after working hours, either in a classroom setting or by distance learning (e-learning), for a short or long period of time depending on the program.

continuing education addresses several needs. It does not only help to improve and update skills, but also to gain new knowledge, with a specific focus on professional development. 

The training modules taken do not always lead to a diploma, but they can lead to obtaining a certification or qualification.

Despite these differences, the two types of vocational training are compatible and offer the possibility of improving one's career path.

 

Key figures and trends

2020 has transformed the vocational training sector in terms of usage and learner expectations. 92% of training professionals believe that the impact of Covid-19 will be felt in the coming months. And yet only 34% of training professionals are confident and equipped to meet these challenges (8).

 

Digitization is on the rise

Digital learning seems to be one of the preferred solutions for training managers in 2021. 57% of training directors plan to invest more on digital learning. Remote learning has a promising future. The number of organizations considering 100% distance training have doubled in only a year. From 18% in 2020 to 31% in 2021. The crisis has led to an increased demand digitalization. More than 89% of companies stated that they would continue to develop distance or blended learning (8).

 

Soft skills at the heart of training

Soft skills were the focus of training in 2021. More than 53% of French people want to acquire skills that are relevant to their professional activity. 43% of HR departments and training managers are considering launching training plans for new skills (reskilling) (8). 

Here is a ranking of the 3 most demanded soft skills today (8):

- Leadership & Management (57%)

- Creativity (42%)

- Communication (40%)

Key figures

Infographie FP 1 ENG

What are the measures for financing continuing professional training? 

The law for the freedom of choice of one's professional career has brought about a real change in the field of professional training. At the heart of these changes, My Training Account Formation (CPF) stands out as a leading device to ease the implementation of training actions.

 

My training account formation

The personal training account (C.P.F.), which is assigned to each person upon entry into the workforce, it is supported by work experience up until retirement and makes it easier to access training.

Thanks to the credit in euros ( specific conditions for each status), which allows independent financing of training activities designed to develop skills such as obtaining a diploma or certification, support for the validation of acquired experience (V.A.E.), skills assessment, etc.  

According to the figures announced at the Council of Ministers meeting in January 6, 2021, 930,000 people enrolled in training courses in 2020 using this tool (2).

 

Other financing mechanisms for professional training

While the CPF is available to all employees, each group has other means of availability and financing.

For private sector employees, it is part of the company's skills development plan, the Professional Transition Project (PTP/CPF de transition) or the Pro-A work-study program.

Similarly, the self employed and company directors benefit from the training insurance funds (F.A.F) available in each industry. Civil servants take advantage of various opportunities, like the specific leave or the period of professional development.

To help prepare for a new professional project, to improve skills, to benefit from career development or to change jobs, professional training is accessible to everyone. thus it is one of the foundations for building professional careers and plays a key role in the HR policies of companies.

     
Chapter II

History and laws of professional training

Since its appearance in the labor code until now, vocational training has evolved according to the evolution of laws and changes in work and training methods.

History and laws of professional training

From 1939 to 2000

1939: The decree of May 6, 1939 established a wartime vocational training program to provide manpower for the manufacturing industry. Fast-track training centers were set up for private companies, industrial facilities and defence industries. (3)

1946: Inclusion in the preamble of the Constitution. Training moved from an individual to a state concept, in which only the state could be involved in this field.


1970: First introduction of vocational training during working hours thanks to the national interprofessional agreement signed by the trade unions. The individual training leave (CIF) was created.

1981: Creation of the Ministry of Training

1982: Introduction of the mandatory contribution of companies to continuing vocational training. 0.1% of their payroll has to be paid to state-approved bodies.

1983 : Creation of the Fongecif (Fonds de Gestion du Congé Individuel de Formation)

1984 : 
- The powers of the works councils were strengthened in terms of training: there must be 2 annual meetings of the works council on training. 
- The law imposed the right to negotiate on professional training in the professional branches or in the companies.

1990: Introduction of two controls to avoid the unregulated development of training organizations:
- A right to the qualification of training organizations to verify their quality.
- A right of the consumer to train in order to be protected.

1991 : 
- Obligation of funding for all companies.
- Creation of the skills assessment leave.
- The individual training leave (CIF) was opened to employees at the end of a fixed-term contract, under certain conditions.

1993: Restructuring of the funding of training and creation of the OPCA (Organismes Paritaires Collecteurs Agréés). These organizations allow employees to participate in training courses included in the company's training plan during working hours.

From 2000 to present

2000: The Aubry II law: obligation for the employer to prepare his employees for the evolution of jobs and protection of employees if they decline the training. This does not constitute a misconduct that justifies a dismissal.

2002: Introduction of VAE leave, to allow validation of acquired experience.

2004 : 
- Signature of the National Interprofessional Agreement (ANI) on lifelong learning. 
- Companies must pay 0.2% of their payroll to finance the requests of employees with permanent contracts.

2009 : 
- Signature of two national interprofessional agreements on the development of life-long training, professionalism and the securing of professional careers.
- New law 2009-1437: creation of the Fonds paritaire de sécurisation des parcours professionnels (FPSPP) and off-the-job training (FHTT), the introduction of a training passport and a "right to guidance" as well as the introduction of DIF portability.

2013 :- New national inter-professional agreement (ANI) for a new economic and social structure to make companies more competitive and to secure jobs and career paths for employees.
- Creation of the personal training account (CPF)

2014: Resulting from the 2013 agreement, the law of March 5, 2014 on professional training, promotes the development of skills and the social dialogue regarding training. The process was simplified (procedures and contributions) to enable employers use professional training to boost productivity. the employees become players in their career path, thanks to the personal training account (CPF). Trainings can be requested at any time.

2016 : Law of August 8, 2016, known as the "Labor Law." This law is not a training reform but a real training component that expands on the law of March 5, 2014. It includes two main types of elements:

Elements of security, protection, individualized rights and access to continuing vocational training: Creation of the Personal Activity Account (CPA) consisting initially of three accounts including the CPF (access to the self-employed since January 1, 2018), the Professional Prevention Account (C2P) and the new Citizen Commitment Account (CEC); Reinforcement of the CEP and the obligation of information of training organizations.
Elements of flexibility in continuity with the current situation on work-study, VAE, a more in-depth concept:

  • - Strengthening of the competency blocks;
    - Possibility of adapting the training.

2018 : Law "Freedom to choose your professional future". This reform was the fourth in 14 years and includes three parts:

- A training reform to open up new rights to life-long qualifications for all, and

- A reform of apprenticeship to rebuild the system,

- A reform of unemployment benefits to strengthen job security.

2019 :
- The CPF was no longer credited in hours but in euros.
- Skills operators, called OPCOs, replaced OPCAs.
- The Launch of the CPF application, enabling the selection and payment of training courses to be digitalized.
- Selection of the Conseils en évolution professionnelle (CEP) by France Competences.

2020 :
- Apprenticeship contracts to be financed and managed by OPCOs.

-The management of the CPF application was handed over to the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDC).
- The CPF was to be managed by the CPIRs.

2021 (December): Compliance of CFAs (apprentice training centres) with the rules governing their operations.

2022: End of Database and the validity of Cnefop-type certifications. In order to benefit from training funds, training bodies will have to obtain Qualiopi certification issued by bodies approved by France compétences or accredited by Cofrac.

Towards a golden age of vocational training?

- In France, 78% of the workforce consider that it is important to receive life-long trainings (5). The training market has evolved over time:

- In Ancient Egypt: the only training offered was that of a scribe and was reserved for those who had mastered writing.
- In the 19th century: the training courses were limited and focused on the industrial sector. Their unique feature was the very short training time aimed at developing the effectiveness of the learners.
Today, the vocational training market is undergoing a change between the players in the sector and the economic and technological framework of the society. 

The evolution of training

Between 2015 and 2017, the demand for IT training increased by 24% in France (5). This high demand for training has led to a shortage of instructors in this field in the United States.

The quality of provision over time

The quality of training provision has steadily evolved in France since the beginning of the 20th century. thanks to the various laws mentioned above, such as the professional future law in 2018. 

In 2017, France had more than 75,000 training providers (5).  With the health crisis, distance learning has become more significant, even though it had gained prominence in recent years, due to new training methods such as mobile learning, e-learning and blended learning. These training methods offer companies versatility while reducing their expenses. This digitalisation of training is also supported by the customization of training courses.

 

 

   
Chapter III

Vocational training: a new legal framework

Transformation of the CPF, renewal of the financing system, new interaction between players, creation or modification of systems, the changes in the training environment are manifold since the  law of 5 September 2018. 

What are the changes in the training and apprenticeship market since its inception? How has this reform transformed the entire world of training and apprenticeship? And what are the aims? Find out everything you need to know to understand it better.

The objectives of the "Avenir Professionnel law"

To support and encourage life-long professional development. To make training competitive for companies. To overcome the challenges and make the procedures for accessing training more flexible. The goals of the "Professional Future" law are numerous.

But there is only one way to achieve them: to completely upgrade the world of training to make it effective and more relevant to the challenges of future society.

The new definition of a training action

One of the main purpose of the law on Freedom is to simplify access to skills development measures.

To support this goal, it has introduced a new concept of training, which is now considered to be "an educational pathway that will lead to the achievement of a professional qualification". 

The Article L6313-2 of the Labour Code  provides details on the procedures for setting up training courses and states that the courses may be carried out in a classroom, at a distance (e-learning) or in a work situation (AFEST).. 

In addition, the objectives of the training measures are specified in article L6313-3. particularly, they must: 

  • Allow people without qualifications or employment contracts to access improved conditions of employment 
    To promote professional development and job retention. 
    To reduce the risks of unsuitable qualifications for workers 
    serve professional mobility

    This new legal framework gives access to a wider range of training courses, in accordance with the needs and constraints of beneficiaries and companies.

    Qualiopi, the key to professional training organisations

There is clearly a rich training market in France. But this diversity leads to a lack of transparency for beneficiaries and companies regarding the actual quality of the available training. 

The "Professional Future" law introduced a quality requirement for training organisations in order to create uniformity of practice in the area of skills development. 

In this regard, and in order to attest to the quality of training, Qualiopi certification  will be mandatory from 1 January 2022. Providers will have to offer training courses that are in accordance with the National Quality Reference System to access public or mutual funds.

Enhanced career development advice

The professional development advice(CÉP), present in the career guidance sector since 2014, has also been modified and its field of action broadened by the law of 5 September 2018. 

Indeed, since January 2020, private sector employees and self-employed workers now benefit from the support of regional operators assigned by France Compétences to build their professional projects. 

These new operators support the mission of career development advice implemented in the regions by Pôle emploi, the local missions, Apec and Cap Emploi. 

These new provisions do not change the way the CÉP operates, since it remains free and personalized, regardless of the status of the beneficiary. 

On the other hand, the broadening of the target audience gives a new dimension to this training tool, which is now part of the company's training strategy and must be communicated to employees during the professional interview

 

France compétences at the heart of the new legal framework for vocational training

In order to simplify the organisation of the system, the training reforms created a new body responsible for piloting training : France compétences. 

The responsibilities (7) of this national authority are numerous and include :

  • organising and financing the VET .
  • establish and ensure the validity of vocational certifications.
  • distribute all the funds for vocational training and apprenticeship (Caisse des dépôts et consignations, OPCOs, the State, training insurance funds, etc.).
  • regulate the quality of training activities.
  • regulate the costs and the rules for covering the costs of public funders
  • contribute to public debate
    This single body plays a key role and has several objectives, such as :
    strengthening the efficiency of the training system and promoting the development of skills.

 

URSSAF, the new collection agency for the one-off contribution towards vocational training

To improve the financing of training, the law introduced a one-off contribution towards vocational training and work-based training (CUFPA) in 2019. At the moment, this contribution is paid to the skill operators. 

However, the new legal provisions provide for its transfer to the Urssaf and MSA from 2022, which will then be the body responsible for transferring funds to France compétences.
Skills operators

With the implementation of the reform, The approved collective bodies (OPCA), which originally played the role of collecting training funds, have become skill operators (OPCO), thereby taking on the role of support providers. 

This development is in response to the need to support and assist the professional sectors in the delivery of training. 

To this end, the law of 5 September 2018 has defined the new roles of skills operators: 

  • To ensure the development and financing of work-related training.
  • Deploy a local service for VSEs/SMEs .
  • Provide information on vocational training to employees and companies
  • provide technical support in the framework of projected management of jobs and skills (GPEC) .
  • supporting the branches in their certification mission
  • financing matching funds
  • helping companies to determine their training needs
    In addition, the law has redesigned the organisation of professional branches. So, 11 skills operators now supersede the 20 OPCAs, depending on the sector. (6)

Regional interprofessional joint commissions replace the Fongecif

A new player in the vocational training environment is the regional inter-professional joint commissions (CPIR). This replaces the Fongecif and is managed in each region through the Transitions Pro associations (ATpro). 

These institutions are then responsible for : 

  • organising, monitoring, validating and carrying out the management of professional transition projects (PTP) .
  • examining the transition projects of employees applying for the resignation scheme
  • deploying the professional development counselling service
  • analysing the job market
  • implement the CléA certification

The presence of the associations in the field also allows Transitions Pro to play a key role in the development of skills in each territory.

The Caisse des dépôts et consignations pilots the CPF

Since 1 January 2020, the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDC) has been appointed as the technical and financial manager of the personal training account. 

As part of its mission, it receives the part of the contribution intended to finance the CPF and is responsible for funding the account of each holder, according to the rights earned. Similarly, the CDC is responsible for signing the agreements with the funders of the contributions (OPCO, regions, companies, training insurance funds, etc.). 

In addition, it has a mandate from the Ministry of Labour to administer the MonCompteFormation application, which it is responsible for development, and thus ensures : 

  • the functioning of the platform, on both the user and the training providers;
  • the management of accounts and the delivery of training courses;
  • payment to training organisations;
  • support for all users. 

    Finally, the CDC is also committed to promoting and developing professional training within the business model.

 

Monetization, digitalisation and subscriptions: the revolutions of the personal training account

Since the law on the freedom to choose a professional career, the personal training account has experienced significant changes. 

Initially, the CPF was monetized. From an annual credit in hours, it has been transformed into a credit in euros since 1 January 2019. 

In a second phase, the online platform MonCompteFormation, which was mentioned earlier, was opened, giving all users access to a training programme. 

In addition to this "marketplace" aspect, the application offers each employee the possibility to : 

  • consult and manage their rights easily
  • engage in a training course without the involvement of an intermediary;
  • benefit from a top-up if the CPF balance cannot sufficiently cover the educational costs. 

    This transformation of the personal training account is a major transformation as it responds to the goal of placing each individual at the forefront of his or her career path. 

New access to continuing vocational training

In order to allow everyone to train on a life-long basis, the training reform has also opened up new access to vocational training. To this end, it has amended existing schemes and created new ones that are more in tune with the current reality of the labour market.

The skills development plan, a new tool for company training

Since 1 January 2019, the skills development plan (SDP) has replaced the company training plan. 

This document lists all the training actions that can be undertaken at the employer's initiative or requested by employees. It represents a valuable tool for human resources in charge of managing staff training, while also serving as a means of access to in-house training of employees. 

However, it should be noted that although the drafting of a skills development plan is advised, it is not compulsory. likewise the mutual funds of the OPCOs are reserved for financing the CDP of companies with fewer than 50 employees.

The professional transition project (CPF de transition) replacing the CIF

The PTP was established in 2019 to replace the individual training leave. Also known as the CPF de transition, it is another way of mobilizing the personal training account. 

Reserved for private-sector employees, it allows any worker to temporarily leave his or her job in order to undergo training that leads to a qualification, with his or her remuneration funded. 

To be admitted, the applicant must prove a certain level of service, depending on his or her status (permanent, fixed-term, temporary or casual employment) and submit an application to the regional Transitions Pro office in charge of managing the PTPs.

The professionalisation period is replaced by PRO-A, the retraining or promotion through work experience

Since 1 January 2019, the period of professionalism has been replaced by the PRO-A, which is intended for employees with a level of study below a bachelor's degree. 

This is another way of accessing in-house training, the purpose of which is to enable professional development, re-training or promotion through work-study. 

With this approach, the beneficiary combines periods of formal training and work experience in a professional environment. This is done with the aim of obtaining a diploma, a professional title or a certificate of professional qualification. 

The PRO-A can be implemented at the request of the employee or the company, and its execution must be covered by an amendment of the employment contract.

The Apprenticeship reform

The training reform also aims to enhance the value of apprenticeships. In this regard, several changes have been introduced to simplify the implementation of apprenticeship contracts:

  • apprenticeships are now open to people up to the age of 29;
  • the minimum duration of the contract is reduced to 6 months and can be modified by means of a triple agreement signed by the apprentice, the company and the CFA;
  • the implementation of the contract is facilitated (entry into training all year round, possible exception for adjusting the duration of work, simplified breach of contract, and international mobility.);
  • the conditions of the professional skills of the apprenticeship supervisors are determined by the industries or by way ofréglementaire
  • the financing of apprenticeship contracts will be handled by the OPCOs from 1 January 2020.

Finally, this reform also upgraded the remuneration of employees on apprenticeship contracts (Article D6222-26 of the Labour Code) on one hand, and granted a one-off aid for the benefit of employers of apprentices (Article III of Decree No. 2018-1348 of 28 December 2018) on the other. 
All these reforms aim to make apprenticeship more attractive to young people and companies, but also to ensure the transfer of knowledge to the labour market.

 

The reform of vocational training: on the way to "a new society of skills

After several years, we have reached the end of this multi-faceted reform of vocational training. What is left now is to see if this profound reform will be able to keep up with its promise of making training a major performance tool to lead us "towards a new society of skills".

   
Chapter IV

Who has the right to vocational training?

Vocational training is reserved for those who have completed their studies, i.e. the working population. This population is divided into two types of people:

  • The active population without a job or the unemployed: it allows for a better integration into the labour market.
  • Employees already working in a specific industry: provides a second chance for better adoption of new skills (knowledge boost and better satisfaction of the employer towards the employee). The request for training can come from either the employer or the employee.

Can one request training in a field different from one's field of work?

The answer is YES. Every employee can apply for vocational training in a field other than the one in which they work.

Since 1 January 2020, people who have acquired rights in hours for a public activity or in euros for a private activity can exchange them for training. If the employee refuses to use the euro credit in the CPF, this does not count as a breach.

The employee's request must be made 60 days before the start of the training course for courses less than 6 months and at least 120 days in advance for courses longer than 6 months. The employer has a period of 30 calendar days to notify the employee of his or her response upon receipt of the request. If the employer does not give a reply after this deadline, it is considered to be an approval of the request.

   
Chapter V

Objectives of a vocational training?

Objectives of the course

The objectives of vocational training generally are multiple and differ according to the subject or theme of the training. 

Vocational training aims to achieve these objectives:

Infographie FP 2 ENG

Training issues

Firstly, it is one of the major ways for beneficiaries to take ownership of their career management. the figures published in this regard in the second edition of the barometer of vocational training and employment (Centre Inffo/CSA) are revealing.

According to this study, 85% of working people have already indicated their desire for training or are likely to do so. Similarly, almost one in two working people are planning to undergo vocational training in the next 12 months, and two thirds already have an idea of the training they would like to undertake (1).

As far as companies are concerned, whilst training of employees by the employer is compulsory, it is primarily a competitive advantage and is a major tool for promoting organisational adaptation in a changing market environment.

    
Chapter VI

Advantages and disadvantages of vocational training

Professional training is a profitable and sustainable investment. It has advantages and disadvantages for all internal stakeholders in the company.

  Advantages Disadvantages
For the company
  • Improve the skills of its employees.
  • To boost the commitment, motivation and satisfaction of its teams.
  • Increase team building.
  • Improve the company's employer brand and attract new talent.
  • Build employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
  • Increase the company's productivity.
  • Strengthen collective performance.
  • It is a competitive advantage over its competitors.
  • The expenditure on training costs can be huge for SMEs,However, online training has a lower cost.
  • When learners are in training they are not at their workstations.
  • Poorly conducted training can lead to the creation of bad habits in the employee. Company performance can be affected.
For the learner
  • Update your skills.
  • Be a player in your professional development.
  • Remain effective in your job.
  • Improve your employability.
  • Possibility of moving to another position in a higher hierarchy.
  • Gain confidence in your abilities and independence.
  • Reduce resistance to change.
  • The lack of time in some trades does not permit training to be done after working hours.
  • Some training courses are not suitable.
  • Face-to-face training means having to travel if it is not in the workplace.
    
Chapter VII

What are the funding schemes for employees' vocational training?

Lifelong learning is an important aspect of the working environment. 

For employees, it is a means of building their career plan, evolving and enriching their skills. For companies, it is a performance tool for improving the level of qualification of their human resources, and a valuable tool for building employee loyalty.

Nevertheless, the means of implementing and financing it may seem complicated given the many existing systems. 

How does the training funding system work? And what are the professional training funding schemes available to employees? We shall look at this.

Financing vocational training: how does it work?

In order to understand how the various funding systems for the labour market are operated, it is important to look at how the vocational training funding system works. 

Who finances vocational training for employees?

To start with, it is worth mentioning that it is companies that are required to participate in the development of employees' skills. 

Thus, in addition to the training actions directly financed for the benefit of their own employees, they also contribute to the financing of the continuing training of private sector employees and jobseekers through various contributions.

The most important of them is the single contribution to vocational training and work experience. Also known as CUFPA, this single contribution is the main source of funding for trainings.

However, employers may also be exposed to other additional payments such as :

Infographie FP 3 ENG

 

How does the single contribution fund training??

Introduced in 2019, the single contribution brings together two separate components. The first is the contribution to vocational training and the second is the apprenticeship tax.

Calculated on the basis of the number of employees, the CUFPA was paid annually by companies to the skills operators until the end of 2021. It would then be collected through the Urssaf or the MSA from 2022.

Once collected, the CUFPA is then transferred to France Compétences, the national governance body for vocational training and apprenticeship. This operator is then responsible for redistributing the funds to the various training bodies and institutions.

In accordance with Article L6123-5 of the Labour Code, the distribution of funds by France Compétences is carried out in the following ways :la Caisse des dépôts et consignations en vue de financer le compte personnel de formation ;

  • The skills operators for the benefit of skills development in companies with fewer than 50 employees and the promotion of work-linked training;
  • the training insurance funds (FAF) responsible for financing the training of self-employed workers
  • the State, which acts in favour of the training of jobseekers;
  • the regional interprofessional joint committees
  • the bodies organising the Conseil en évolution professionnelle (CÉP);
  • the regions;
  • the agency responsible for paying the driving licence subsidy.

    Thus, each actor then pilots the implementation of the various funding schemes available to the active population.

 

The CPF personal training account, the main financing tool for vocational training

In effect since January 2015, the personal training account (CPF) is one of the main mechanisms for financing professional training. 

What are the advantages of the CPF?

The first advantage of the CPF is its accessibility. Indeed, it is an individual right relating to the individual throughout his or her working life. Consequently, it is open to all: employees, public servants, self-employed workers and, in some cases, pensioners. 

Moreover, this ease of access has been enhanced by the "Professional Future" law which, in November 2019, allowed the opening of the MonCompteFormation platform. This is to enable each worker to take ownership of his or her career path and to mobilize the funds accrued in complete independence according to their needs.

Another advantage of the personal training account? The diversity of the training actions it supports, for example :skills assessment or validation of acquired experience (VAE);

  • obtaining a diploma or professional title
  • acquiring a base of skills and knowledge;
  • setting up or taking over a business, etc.

How the CPF works

Since 2019, the CPF is funded each year in euros for the following beneficiaries:

  • private-sector employees and self-employed workers up to €500 per year worked, with a ceiling set at €5000;

low-skilled employees or those subject to an employment obligation, up to €800 per year worked, with a maximum of €8,000.
The euro credit does not therefore apply to civil servants, who continue to receive their credit in hours. although jobseekers can still use their acquired rights to follow a training course, the account is no longer credited as long as they are not under a contract.

Furthermore, if the available rights are not sufficient:

  • funding from another body, for example the OPCO or Transitions Pro in the context of the transitional CPF, is conditional on the CPF being released
  • co-financing by the employer has been possible since September 2020

As a result, the CPF is the first financing mechanism to be mobilised to pay for a training course. 

 

What are the other funding schemes for employee training?

In addition to the CPF, employees in the private sector have access to other means of financing a continuing education project. What are these systems? And how do they work? 

The skills development plan

The employer is required to keep employees in their jobs and to modify their workstations. In addition to these obligations, they also have the option of offering their employees continuing professional development.

To do this, a new tool was introduced in 2019: the skills development plan.

This lists all mandatory training courses (safety, updating of knowledge, etc.) and those that are not (skills assessment, VAE, etc.). 

Thus, any training provided for in the skills development plan may be undertaken at the initiative of the employer or the employee. 

In both cases, it should also be noted that :

  • the employee's remuneration is maintained throughout the training period
  • the employer pays for the educational costs and related expenses (catering and accommodation)
  • the training is carried out during working hours, except for special provisions for non-mandatory training.
    After the training course, the employee may return to his or her job or move on to other responsibilities. They may also choose to leave the company, depending on any withdrawal clause in their employment contract.

    Retraining or promoting through work experience, PRO-A, a new system of continuing vocational training 


    The PRO-A is a new feature introduced by the law on the freedom to choose one's professional future. This tool, which replaces the professional training period, aims to encourage and support projects for professional development, promotion or retraining of less qualified employees.

    The aim is to allow employees to train and acquire skills by combining practical training with professional activities. During this period, the PRO-A employee also benefits from professional support as a tutor is appointed by the company to guide him/her throughout the training period (between 6 and 12 months, and up to 24 months in certain cases).

    Like the previous scheme, retraining or promotion through work-linked training can be initiated at the request of the employer or on the employee's initiative. Similarly, it can also be carried out during working hours or outside working hours with the agreement of the beneficiary.

    During a training course carried out within the framework of the PRO-A :
  • the company is responsible for maintaining remuneration if the training is carried out during working hours 
  • the training costs are paid for, in part or in full, by the company's skills operator

Thus, the PRO-A is a real tool for developing professional skills and promoting employability in the labour market.

The professional transition project to finance professional retraining

Since 2019, it is the professional transition project PTP (or transition CPF) that allows employees to take some time off from their company to undergo training with the aim of retraining.

Accessible to employees on permanent or fixed-term contracts and temporary workers, the PTP is managed by the regional interprofessional joint committees (CPIR) through the Transitions Pro associations. 

Although the conditions of service differ according to status, the criteria for analysing applications do not change. Thus, the training project must, in particular :

  • allow for a change of trade or profession ;
  • offer real job prospects at the end of the training.

In addition, the training envisaged must lead to certification, be eligible for the CPF and be registered with the RNCP.

Also, the employee wishing to benefit from the transitional CPF must also apply to his or her company for leave of absence.

This must be submitted no later than 60 days before the start of the training course if it lasts less than six months. This deadline is 120 days if the training period is six months or more. 

The employer has 30 days to respond. If it does not, the leave of absence is considered to be granted. 

In practice, the company cannot refuse an employee's request for PTP leave. However, it may decide to postpone it for up to 9 months if the absence is likely to hinder the smooth running of the company, due to the concurrent absence of several employees for example.

Finally, once the PTP application has been accepted and the employee has commenced training, his/her remuneration is paid by Transitions Pro, according to different rates and procedures and depending on the size of the company. Under certain conditions, the CPIR can also cover the educational costs, as well as additional costs related to the training.

 

TransCo, the new professional transition scheme

Collective Transitions, also known as TransCo, a new funding scheme that arrived on the training market on 15 January 2021. Although it looks a lot like the CPF de transition, in reality it is a response to the employment problems created by the health crisis and the resulting economic changes.

The aim of this scheme is to support companies in the professional retraining of employees whose jobs are threatened. To achieve this, employers must follow three steps:

  • identify the weakened trades within the company, if necessary with the help of the OPCO, and formalise the list of these trades by means of a PPIM-type agreement;
  • inform employees of their eligibility for TransCo ;
  • submit a file to the regional Transitions Pro operator.

For the employees involved in the TransCo scheme, the remuneration and training costs are financed by the State through the National Employment Fund (FNE).

However, the proportion of this funding varies according to the size of the company:

  • 100% with no outstanding costs for companies with less than 300 employees;
  • 75% with 25% of the cost remaining for companies with between 300 and 1000 employees;
  • 40% with 60% out-of-pocket expenses for companies with more than 1000 employees. 

    Thanks to this system, employees can follow a long training course or a validation of acquired experience without using their CPF.

    For a long time, the financing of training seemed complex and restrictive, both for employees and employers. But the latest training reforms have simplified access to funding.

    Thus, whatever the professional development ambitions of employees and the objectives of the training plans carried out by companies, the main tools to be mobilized - CPF, skills development plan, PRO-A, transitional CPF or TransCo - now meet the different needs in terms of financing professional training.
     
Chapter VIII

 The personal training account facilitates access to professional training

Since its entry into the vocational training sector, the Personal Training Account (PTA) has constantly been in the news. Criticised at the time of its launch by the players in the training market, for a long time it aroused little interest among beneficiaries and companies. 

However, the latest training reform and the health crisis have changed the situation: today, this scheme is the main means of access to vocational training. The figures put forward by the Ministry of Labour are clear: in 2020, almost 930,000 training applications were submitted via the personal training account.

Nevertheless, in the study published at the beginning of 2021, Centre Inffo reports that although 85% of working people knew about this system, 52% of them also felt misinformed about the CPF and how to use it. So what is the personal training account? What are its objectives? What training actions are eligible for the scheme? How is it to be used? This is what we are going to explain in details.

What is the CPF, personal training account

The personal training account is an individual tool for professional development.

It allows people in the labour market to acquire, accumulate and mobilize training rights throughout their working lives, even if their situation changes. Indeed, as its name implies, it is a "personal" account linked to the individual and not to an employment contract.

Introduced in the employment and training market in 2015 to replace the DIF, this system was recently modified by the "Professional Future" law of 5 September 2018. This was done in order to broaden the scope of the CPF so that it can truly allow everyone to be an active player in their training and in the construction of their career path.

What are the objectives of the CPF?

According to the definition of the Ministry of Labour, the personal training account aims to "contribute, to the individual's own initiative, to the maintenance of employability and securing of professional careers".

Infographie FP 4 ENG

It is therefore to respond to these goals that the CPF enables all working people to access a list of training courses leading to qualifications through the digital application MonCompteFormation. All the training courses listed can then be financed directly, without the need to go through an intermediary.

Who are the beneficiaries of the personal training account?

In line with its objective of reducing inequalities in access to training, the CPF is intended to be universal. Consequently, it is a system that is open to all those active in the labour market.

However, it should be noted that this opening up to all socio-professional categories was done in several stages. 

Private sector employees and jobseekers were the first to have access to the personal training account. Subsequently, civil servants benefited from it in 2017, then self-employed workers and artists in 2018.

The CPF is open automatically from the age of 16, or 15 by a way of derogation for young people in apprenticeship. although it is in fact closed on retirement, retired people can have their personal training account reopened if they wish to resume work. 
What training courses are eligible for the CPF?

The training courses eligible for the CPF are defined by Article L6323-6 of the Labour Code. In practice, these are the following training actions

  • professional certifications registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP);
  • validation of a knowledge and skills base
  • procedures related to the validation of acquired experience (VAE)
  • skills assessment;
  • support for the creation or takeover of a business;
  • driving licences.

Given the various possibilities offered, training courses implemented under the CPF make it possible to obtain a diploma, a professional qualification or to prepare for professional retraining. 

Moreover, the duration of the training is not a criteria for eligibility, since both short and long courses are allowed under the CPF. Similarly, it is possible to carry out the training course during or outside working hours.

 

How does the personal training account work?

For the first three years of its existence, the personal training account was credited in hours of training in line with the scheme it replaced. Today, this is not the case any more since since 1 January 2019, it is now euros that are allocated each year to the CPF (excluding public sector employees). 

Reallocated by the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, which is responsible for managing the CPF, the rights acquired in a given year are available in the beneficiaries' accounts the following spring.

For example: An employee with a full-time permanent contract from 1 January to 31 December 2021 will see an increase in his or her CPF balance over the period April-May 2022.

On the other hand, although the training account is open to all, the rules for its provision depend on the status of the employee and the time he or she has worked during the year.

The CPF for employees

The CPF account of private sector employees is credited with up to €500 per year. The maximum amount of acquired rights is €5000. For part-time employees who work less than 50% of a full-time schedule, the calculation of rights is done on a proportionate basis.

For low-skilled employees, their CPF is credited with €800 per year, up to a maximum of €8,000. The same applies to disabled people in ESATs.

The CPF for the self-employed

In the same way as for private-sector employees, the personal training account of the self-employed is credited with €500 per year. However, the payment of the acquired rights is subject to the payment of the professional training contribution (CFP).

Another special feature of this status is that although the rights in the CPF account cannot be transferred, for this category the right to training is also open to the spouse/co-worker. 

The CPF for jobseekers

As seen earlier, the training account is an individual right that can be accessed throughout one's career, even if one changes employer or loses a job.

Jobseekers can therefore use CPF funds to finance training to re-enter the labour market. However, as the CPF is funded by actual work activity, they do not accumulate new rights.

The CPF for civil servants

As we saw above, the monetisation of the personal training account does not apply to civil servants. The account is therefore funded in training hours, not in euros.

Civil servants therefore receive 25 hours per year, up to a maximum of 150 hours. As with employees, low-skilled category C employees receive a larger number of hours. They therefore accumulate 50 hours each year up to a maximum of 400 hours.

Note: while the CPF account is not credited during periods of unemployment, parental leave, leave to care for relatives, accidents at work and work-related illnesses are taken into account.

For all employees, the CPF therefore functions as a savings account that aims to promote employability and professional mobility. However, it is also clear that the limits set are a means of encouraging people to engage in continuing training on a regular basis, in order to constantly enrich the labour market with qualified workers.

How to use your CPF?

To provide access to training for all without intermediaries, beneficiaries with a training project must go to the digital application MonCompteFormation to use their CPF. 

Indeed, since the end of 2019, it is only on this platform that individuals can consult and manage their rights, access training offers, prepare and follow up their financing file.

This digitalized solution simplifies the implementation of training projects because in order to mobilize the acquired rights, it is sufficient to :
go to the platform (also accessible on mobile phones) ;

  • authenticate yourself using your social security number
  • browse the catalogue of training courses;
  • assemble the file and validate the release of funds.

Another important piece of information concerning the use of the CPF is that it is only possible to use it if the holder agrees. Consequently, the employer cannot impose the use of the personal training account on an employee.

Nevertheless, with the aim of involving all the players in training in the enrichment of career paths, the law on the freedom to choose one's professional future introduces a system of joint construction of training.

Subscriptions to the personal training account

This logic of co-construction aims to remove the barriers to financing training if the funds in the personal account are insufficient to carry out the approach. 

Thus, if the cost of a training project is greater than the balance of the personal training account, workers can complete the amount to be paid by their own resources or obtain top-ups. 

Depending on their status, the latter are granted by the following funding bodies:l’employeur ;

  • the skills operator (OPCO) ;
  • the regions and the State ;
  • the health insurance fund ;
  • Pôle Emploi ;
  • the training insurance funds for the self-employed
  • chambers of trades and crafts, etc.

In order to deploy these "additional credits" for training, the financiers must approach the Caisse des dépôts et consignations to establish an agreement and define the terms and conditions for accessing the top-up. 

To benefit from it, the user's situation must therefore meet the defined criteria. If this is the case, the top-up proposal is then automatically presented to the user during the purchase process on MyTrainingAccount.

 

The CPF, an essential tool for continuing education

The personal training account has been unpopular among training organisations, companies and workers for a long time. This lack of interest was in fact highlighted by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs in its progress report published in July 2017.

However, the recent reforms of the law of 5 September 2018 have made it possible to adapt and digitalize this skills development tool. 

The monetization of the personal training account and the freedom granted by the MonCompteFormation platform have largely contributed to popularizing the CPF, allowing it to become an essential tool for everyone in the training market.

 

      
Chapter IX

What are the functions of vocational training in companies?

According to a study on the daily life of HR published in 2020 by Tissot, professional training represents the second most important expectation of employees with regard to the company (65%), just behind the quality of life at work (78%). 

In a context where training needs are increasingly important, what are the company's means to meet them? Who is responsible for implementing professional training within an organisation? How do they do it? Let's discover together the different functions of training in companies.

The training function in the company: what is it?

The training function is the department responsible for organising the entire educational strategy aimed at developing employees' skills within a company. 

At a time when the training action must be more effective, this function is gradually becoming independent of the HR departments and is now composed of professions dedicated to the creation of a high-performance training ecosystem for the company. 

Training Manager

The training manager is the backbone of the company's training department. Responsible for ensuring the development of human resources skills, his or her role consists of designing and managing all training engineering. This task involves putting in place the various procedures to implement a project in line with the company's strategic challenges.

To do this, the training manager analyses the needs of the organisation's businesses. On the basis of this inventory, he or she draws up the training project on one hand, and the specifications on the other. His role is essential because, according to Empowill, for 23% of employees, the first motivating factor for starting a training course is to be in touch with the problems of the job (8).

Thus, he defines the :

  • training activities to be implemented;
  • educational programme ;
  • targeted skills ;
  • teaching methods, means and resources to be mobilised;
  • budget allocated to the training;
  • provisional learning schedule, etc.

Once the training plan is underway, he/she manages the entire project, including administrative follow-up, in coordination with the trainers, other company departments, external training organisations, etc.

At the end of the training, it is up to him/her to evaluate the impact of the vocational training actions carried out. This evaluation focuses on two aspects: on the one hand, the achievement of the objectives set out in the specifications, and on the other hand, the employees' assessment of the training followed.

Only after this overall analysis has been made does the manager assess the training (quality, costs, deadlines, results).

The tasks of the training manager
  • Construction of the skills development plan
  • Definition of the training budget with the company's management
  • Analysis and identification of the skills needs of the various departments
  • Drawing up training specifications
  • Identifying the resources needed to implement a training project
  • Selection of trainers and/or training organisations
  • Managing the administrative aspects of the project in accordance with the legal and regulatory obligations in force
  • Setting up the evaluation of the training
  • Management of the training department 

    Digital Learning Manager

Often seen as an evolution of the e-learning manager, the digital learning manager is in fact much more than that. Unlike their predecessor, digital learning managers do not manage e-learning exclusively, but play a much more versatile and cross-functional role within the company's training function.

As a full-blown project manager, his or her mission is to create a new approach to internal training by leading projects to digitalise training within the company.

To do this, the digital learning manager intervenes at several levels. For example, he or she will carry out in-depth work to analyse professional training trends, discover new methods and identify relevant pedagogical or technological innovations.

In this way, they can first help define the best digital training strategy for the company. Then they can intervene at each stage of the internal training production chain: choice of teaching methods, tools to be used, creation of content, etc.

In addition, he/she also participates in the implementation of the project by ensuring :

  • coordinating the various stakeholders: educational designers, e-learning agencies, business experts, trainers, etc. ;
  • managing the marketing of training activities.

    They may also be responsible for running learning communities. 

The digital learning manager builds, embodies, disseminates and maintains the digital training culture in order to develop the practices of all the entities in an organisation. This is to make corporate training more attractive, get employees and management on board and boost their commitment to internal training.

The tasks of the digital learning manager
  • Project management
  • Scripting of training courses
  • Instructional design
  • LMS management
  • Monitoring of training trends
  • Data analysis
  • Animation of communities
  • Communication and promotion of a training project

    Internal trainer

The internal trainer is an employee whose mission is to ensure the continuous professional training of teams. He or she is therefore responsible for transmitting, developing and updating know-how in order to ensure that human resources become more competent. This is done in accordance with the skills development plan.

The trainer has always been involved at various stages of the training process, since he or she :

  • mobilises his or her expertise to build the educational programme, according to the objectives of the professional training project ;
  • takes charge of the transmission of professional knowledge and skills to learners.

Changes in the market have led to a change in the role of the trainer. From now on, he/she adapts his/her posture so as to no longer be just a "teacher", but rather a "facilitator" with learners who take ownership of the training action.

The added value of the in-house trainer lies in his or her knowledge of the company, its operations, its procedures and the reality on the ground. Today, they are therefore positioned as a true reference for the employees they support, and are committed to making the link with the company's training and HR departments.

The missions of the in-house trainer
  • Designing the raw educational content
  • Conducting training activities
  • Passing on know-how and good practice
  • Follow-up and support for the trainees
  • Feedback of training results

    Instructional designer

The instructional designer is an expert in the digital creation of training content. His role is to carry out the educational planning to design the best learning experience for the learner.

The designer uses and analyses the raw educational resources provided by trainers or business experts. Then, he/she is responsible for transcribing them into an effective training course, according to the learning methods and teaching tools deployed.

To carry out this mission, the instructional designer designs a storyboard. They then structure and write the training course, focusing on telling a story that will attract the attention of the employees to be trained (story-learning). 

Secondly, they look for relevant digital elements that will enable them to articulate the modules and enrich the training: games, graphics, animations, videos, etc.

The aim of the work carried out by the instructional designer is to create training courses that are more fun and more interactive than traditional training in order to make the learner want to continue learning.

The tasks of the instructional designer
  • Popularisation of the concepts to be conveyed
  • Scripting the educational content
  • Technical design of training modules
  • Creation of digitised teaching activities
  • Choice of multimedia elements
  • Optimisation of design and navigation

    Company tutor

The company tutor is an employee who is mainly involved in the integration of a new hire. In this case, he or she acts as a guide whose job is to pass on the technical skills, methods and culture of the company in order to make the employee operational. This is an important role, given that 65% of tutored training schemes achieve a completion rate of over 60% (8).

To do this, he or she is responsible for organising and monitoring the training programme, while also acting as a link with the manager, the teams and the management.

Although the tutor is often considered to be in charge of welcoming and training alternating work experience students or apprentices, in reality the tutor can also support an employee who already belongs to the company. Thus, the tutoring system can be implemented in the event of professional development or a lack of skills being identified.

The tutor's tasks in the company

  • Integration of new arrivals
  • Preparation of the training course
  • Monitoring and checking the acquisition of skills
  • Managing the apprenticeship schedule
  • Liaising in the field with the training and HR functions

 

As we saw earlier, the training function in a company relies primarily on the training manager, who is the conductor of the skills management system.

Depending on the size of the company, the training department may be made up of several other experts in the production of educational content, such as the digital learning manager or the educational designer, who rely on the company's internal business expertise to create the training.

 

Certification of in-company training

Today, professional training in companies is a real performance tool. In a context of constantly changing conditions, the quality of a teaching strategy can therefore become a major differentiator, both with regard to the client market and to candidates during recruitment. 

This is why, in order to respond to the "quality of learning" issue, official certification is now available alongside CSR or QWL labels such as Great Place to Work®.

AFAQ Digital training engineering

The AFAQ Digital Training Engineering certification from AFNOR rewards the educational methodology implemented within an organisation. It is aimed at all players in the training market: companies, service providers and educational establishments.

Its standards are based on the Qualiopi criteria and cover all the methods for creating, deploying and evaluating digital training actions. Thus, certified companies have a new way to improve their competitiveness.

 

The training function in companies: a player in continuing training

Among the players in vocational training, companies play a decisive role in training. Indeed, the closeness they have with the field enables them to build training projects that are as close as possible to the needs of their sector of activity.

In order to do this, they must rely on the skills of the training function in order to acquire the educational or technological resources that promote the design of innovative and efficient learning processes.

 

       
Chapter X

How to innovate in training today?

Making training paths more dynamic, encouraging skills development and making teaching more attractive to learners are some of the new challenges facing professional training. 

In addition, there is a timeless ambition: to make training more efficient. This is to ensure that it is a real means of ensuring that individuals develop their skills.

So how can we innovate in training today? What are the pedagogical methods and technological solutions available to the training sector, including in companies? This is what we will look at in this article.

Innovation in the world of vocational training

Innovation in training is today an essential strategy for providing an appropriate response to the current and future requirements of the learning community on the one hand, and accompanying the transformation of training in companies on the other.

However, the challenge is considerable, as there are many expectations on both sides, particularly in terms of
 ;

  • anticipating new learning needs
  • removing the obstacles to training
  • creating environments conducive to the dissemination of skills;
  • capitalising on the know-how present in the company
  • strengthening the employer brand;
  • boosting learner commitment;
  • rethinking pedagogical engineering, etc.

    The aim for those involved in training is therefore to learn to renew themselves thanks to new educational approaches, supported by technological innovations.

 

Pedagogical innovation: approaches to learning differently

Social Learning

Social learning is a learning method that allows for the implementation of an interactive and shared pedagogy by relying on the natural inclination of individuals for social relations.

More precisely, this educational method, also known as peer learning, promotes the sharing of knowledge, interaction and group synergy to encourage the development of skills.

To do this, learners move away from the traditional pattern of reading, listening and watching to become part of a participatory learning process where they can observe, share, imitate and exchange with each other and, as a result, learn from each other.

Unlike the traditional method of education, where knowledge is transmitted from a teacher to students in a one-way fashion, social learning is a horizontal approach to education. It therefore places learners at the very heart of the learning process, since everyone is both learner and trainer

Blended Learning

Blended learning is a mixed learning method that combines face-to-face training, delivered by a trainer, with distance learning, supported by digital training modules. 

The aim is to reduce the organisational limitations of face-to-face training, while retaining the human dimension that is often lacking in full e-learning context, and to enrich it through digital means to better meet the needs of the educational programme.

In this way, this hybrid educational model is a way of offering learners the support of a trainer to accompany them and to maintain their integration within a learning community.

However, unlike purely face-to-face training, this learning method also allows learners to follow their training path at their own pace. Individuals' commitment therefore tends to increase in a blended learning context, as they feel that they are involved in their training and can more easily take responsibility for the learning they receive.

Microlearning

Microlearning is a learning format that aims to divide the acquisition of knowledge into several digital training sequences. Generally lasting between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, the educational content (animations, tests, games, infographics, videos, etc.) allows you to get to the heart of the matter and learn about specific concepts quickly.

One of the reasons for the popularity of microlearning is that it is similar to people's everyday habits: researching, finding and using information through short content, regardless of the format. It is therefore easily integrated into professional training.

The advantages of microlearning, also known as microlearning, are numerous, as it allows for :

  • innovate in training by using a fun approach
  • make learners more autonomous by offering them the possibility of choosing which blocks of skills to follow
  • immediately apply the new knowledge;
  • free themselves from the constraints imposed by traditional media, which are generally longer and often less digestible.

Placing the individual at the heart of his or her training course, this teaching format aims to facilitate learning, encourage the anchoring of memory and the consolidation of acquired knowledge. 

Change of educational approach, new learning methods or modernisation of formats, the approaches to innovation in training are diverse and varied. However, as we have seen above, these are only the first phase of innovation in training. 

Indeed, the evolution of learning methods requires the use of tools adapted to these new educational practices. To this end, many technological innovations are constantly emerging on the training market to support educational development.

 

Educational  innovation: new learning tools

Mobile Learning

Mobile learningis an innovative training medium that aims to implement mobile learning so that training can be accessed from anywhere, at any time and on any device.

It is a new and more flexible way of learning compared to the traditional training, since the teaching resources are made constantly available and on demand.

Mobile learning is also a tool for the modernisation of training practices, the aim of which is to encourage the commitment and support of learners through short, often interactive and fun formats. In this sense, it is particularly well suited to microlearning, but also fits in perfectly with other educational methods (collaborative or blended learning, for example).

Versatile by nature, it can be used at different stages of the course to prepare for training, consolidate skills, revise knowledge already covered or stimulate exchanges between learners. 

In line with new training trends and the expectations of the people to be trained, mobile learning is a pedagogical innovation that must be integrated into a more global training strategy in order to strengthen it.

To know : Contrary to what one might think, "mobile" does not mean "mobile phone", but rather "mobility". Moreover, the study conducted jointly in 2020 by MyRHline and Beedeez indicates that 74% of learners use mobile learning on PCs compared to 50% on smartphones.

LMS, Learning Management System

The LMS, Learning Management System, is a software platform for centralising and managing e-learning. It is the first tool used by companies to digitalise training and educational courses.

Thanks to its functionalities, the LMS responds to the main challenges of managing online professional training, in other words, disseminating and controlling learning.

In addition to the acquisition of knowledge by the target audience, the LMS enables trainers to accurately monitor the participants' progress: performance, difficulties, contributions, etc. This is done with a view to monitoring the learners' progress, but also to improving and enriching the content according to the objectives of the teaching method implemented.

Traditionally installed in the field of corporate training, the LMS has been able to adapt to the development of pedagogical and technical innovation in training, since it can now integrate other learning methods.

However, since the LMS is controlled by management, the learner experience quickly reaches its limits as it does not correspond to the technological habits of the learning community and to the flow of experiences offered by platforms in the private sector (social networks, streaming, etc.). 

LXP, Learning Experience Platform

It is in response to these new behaviours that another training platform model emerged in the educational field: the LXP, Learning Experience Platform.

This is a technology that aims to create a training platform where the educational process is centred on the learner's experience, in contrast to the LMS, which is more " supervisory " oriented. 

Whether independent or integrated, the LXP platform complements the learning path provided by the LMS. To do this, it relies in particular on adaptive learning - which we will discuss below - to offer a training programme adapted to the individual, depending on his or her profile and interactions with the available content.

Often more user-friendly and focused on the learning community, LXP is the answer to the challenges of a training customisation strategy.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are innovative training solutions that allows the transition from the traditional academic approach to learning in a different way. Indeed, they are part of the tools of what is called immersive learning.

Used in the context of vocational training, they are particularly used to develop the acquisition of skills through practice. Although they are often used in the fields of industry, aviation or medicine, they can be adapted to any training project:
développer les softs skills ;

  • developing soft skills
  • prevention ;
  • simulate complex practices;
  • preparing teams to manage emergency situations...

    Although virtual reality and augmented reality are often mixed up, they are in fact two different technologies:

  • Virtual reality creates entirely fictional environments through a VR headset and thus provides a 360° immersive experience
  • Augmented reality creates virtual elements, visible through a digital screen (smartphone, tablet or glasses), on top of the actual environment

    Regardless of the application, these tools enrich learning methods and are also excellent supports for gamifying training courses. 

Virtual classroom

The virtual classroom is an educational tool used to carry out distance learning. The concept is to bring together the trainer and learners in a synchronized way, without the physical distance being a limitation.

Although this teaching method uses some of the codes of face-to-face sessions, in reality it is not enough to transfer a " regular " course from behind a screen to replace a classroom. 

Firstly, because its effectiveness depends on other features that are specific to the delivery of a distance training class. Therefore, such a development requires a comprehensive analysis of the programme as a whole, i.e. : déroulé pédagogique ;

  • learning pace ;
  • scripting of courses ;
  • design of materials;
  • means of monitoring and supervising participants;
  • deployment of digital tools useful for running the virtual classroom and managing online exchanges, etc.
    But also, because the virtual classroom meets the expectations of a learning environment where people can be together at the same time to exchange and work. 

    Thus, the virtual classroom cannot be a lecture course where information flows only in one direction. On the contrary, to be effective, it must be based on the interaction between the trainer and the learners involved.

    For a long time it was considered to be a simple means of improving the classroom experience (costs and organization), but during the pandemic the virtual classroom proved to be a reliable and relevant solution for ensuring continuity of learning. 

    Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning is an educational method that aims to personalise the learner's learning path. It relies on artificial intelligence to identify individual needs and to train each individual according to his or her profile, existing knowledge, identified difficulties and ability to learn.

To do this, adaptive learning is based on three variable components:

  • appearance, which corresponds to the formats of the content presented
  • order, which defines the articulation of the training according to the rhythm of progression (how and when the different modules are deployed);
  • support, which refers to actions to help the learner overcome the challenges and to lead him/her towards success.

    Most often, the adaptive learning programme is initiated by a proficiency test. Depending on the results, the system then proposes a different course to each learner. Then, data collection enables it to analyse the assimilation of the concepts covered, progress, errors made and/or repeated, points to be worked on, etc. 

    This highly personalised approach, which is becoming increasingly popular, makes it possible to maximise and speed up the development of skills, since it focuses on the objectives set and updated in real time for each learner.

And why not have a collaborative back-office?

The world of learning and training is not without innovation. Beedeez has set up a simple and collaborative back-office. What is the objective of this solution? To make it easy to create your training modules. In a few minutes you can design your knowledge modules and review them in real time. 

Precise analysis of employee progress

Beedeez has developed a very sophisticated management interface that allows you to perform very precise statistical tracking and team management through targeted actions on specific groups of learners. All of this is supported by a highly visual, live statistical analysis, enabling you to make decisions quickly.

A simple, multilingual interface

Your community can be animated in real time thanks to notification and gamification tools. keep your learners engaged in a few clicks.  This solution can automatically translate your training content into over 25 languages.

 

Innovating in training: an essential investment

Training in a different way. Developing the independence of learners. Bringing a more human dimension to learning. Optimise training time. Better manage costs. Although face-to-face training has not yet reached the end of its usefulness, innovation in training is essential. 

However, while there are many teaching methods and tools, innovation in training does not stop at selecting one educational technique rather than another, or implementing one technological device instead of another.

Today, these innovations can be connected to each other. The priority for reconsidering a training model is therefore to conduct an overall review. This is to ensure that the resources deployed meet the objectives of an educational project, as well as the requirements of employees in terms of the learning experience.

 

        
Chapter XI

The actors of vocational training

Employers and active beneficiaries are often associated with the subject of vocational training. However, we almost always forget the main players in training, those who are responsible for supporting the development of skills in the labour market: the training providers.

Who are they? What is their role? What do they offer? From the private sector to public institutions and EdTech, discover those who are building the training of today and tomorrow.

What is a vocational training provider?

First of all, let's start by presenting the training provider, its field of action as defined by the Labour Code and its status.

Definition of a training provider

The training provider, also known as a provider or organisation, is a person, natural or legal, who carries out, by means of an agreement or contract, the skills development actions defined in article L6313-1 of the Labour Code. 

Scope of intervention of the training provider

Training action

As provided for in the new definition introduced by the law of 5 September 2018, the training action corresponds to an educational pathway enabling a professional objective to be achieved. 

Thus, the training provider provides short or long training actions, with various educational methods and whose purpose may be to acquire a certificate, a certification, a professional title or a diploma.
Skills assessment

The skills assessment falls within the scope of professional training. It is defined by Article L6313-4 of the Labour Code as a process implemented by an active person to analyse his or her professional and personal skills, aptitudes and motivations, with a view to defining a professional or training project.

A skills assessment provider therefore accompanies the beneficiary in this process. This is done in order to guide them in the construction of their career development.

Validation of acquired experience

Like the assessments, the actions allowing the validation of acquired experience (V.A.E) are assimilated to the development of skills (Article L6313-5 of the Labour Code) since they aim to obtain official recognition of skills through certification.

However, the V.A.E. is often long and tedious as it is carried out in two stages: firstly, eligibility, then validation, which requires a significant preparation phase before going before a jury.

Training providers can therefore provide methodological support to people involved in the V.A.E. process.

Apprenticeship training action

The development of professional skills can be achieved through apprenticeship, which allows the preparation of any diploma - vocational or technological - issued by the national education system.

The law on the freedom to choose one's professional future has modified the framework of apprenticeship, which is now accessible up to the age of 29. 

Thus, this training method is aimed at people who wish to find direction (initial training) as well as those seeking to change direction (continuing training) by alternating periods of theory, in a training centre, and practice, in a company.

In this case, an apprenticeship contract is signed by the company, the beneficiary and the provider, an apprentice training centre (CFA). The latter is then responsible for providing the theoretical instruction.

 

Legal status of training organisations

The training market in France is relatively open. There are therefore no restrictions on the legal status of training providers. 

When looking for a training provider, it is therefore possible to contact a :

  • independent trainer ;
  • company ;association; or a public sector educational institution
  • consular body
  • local authority, etc.

    According to the figures provided by the Ministry of Education, in February 2020 more than 48 000 training organisations, both public and private, were listed in the country. 

 

What are the other funding mechanisms for employee training?

The training market can be divided into two main categories: private organisations, which account for almost 80% of the activity each year, and public institutions, which account for the remaining 20%.

In addition to these organisations, there are two other types of structures in the vocational training environment: the CFAs, which may be private or public, and the EdTech ecosystem.

Private training organisations

Independent trainers, companies and associations

As we have seen above, there is no legal status imposed by the regulations for carrying out training activities. There are therefore different types of structures - profit or non-profit - in the private sector. 

The private body can thus support the training of :

  • Individuals engaged in an individual professional project;
  • employees through the company and its skills development plan
  • learners in the context of training provided by another organisation.
    Covering all fields of activity, there are thousands of these players spread throughout the country and actively contributing to lifelong learning. 

Apprentice training centres - CFAs

Apprentice training centres (CFAs) are the organisations responsible for managing the theoretical teaching part of an apprenticeship.

Indeed, contrary to what one might think, this route is not exclusively reserved for the youngest and is aimed at a large category of working people who undertake an apprenticeship in order to train or reorient themselves.

Apprenticeship training centres may be general or specialised in a particular professional branch and are managed by public institutions (consular chambers, local authorities, national education, etc.) or by private sector organisations (professional unions, associations, companies, etc.).

 

                                                            Apprentice training centres - CFA

Grouping of establishments - GRETA

The groupings of establishments (Greta) are organisations created by educational establishments, colleges, general and vocational high schools, which pool their skills and resources in order to boost continuing education on a local scale.

These organisations are aimed at all working people: private sector employees, civil servants, jobseekers, adults on assisted or vocational training contracts, and individuals. As well as to companies in the context of the implementation of professional training for employees.

There are 137 Greta throughout the country, including at least one in each department. Each of them is attached to the academic rectorate of the region, which orchestrates the distribution of the intervention areas.

The strength of the Greta lies in their networking and the diversity of their "grouped" skills, which enable them to offer training in many professional fields: arts and crafts, support functions, industry, languages, etc.

The training courses offered by the Greta are exclusively intended for adults. As a result, they are tailor-made and the teaching methods are adapted to the limitations of working life (face-to-face or online, evening classes, sessions lasting several days or spaced out over time, etc.).

National Agency for Adult Vocational Training - Afpa

The Afpa is a public service institution like Pôle emploi or the local missions. It has 116 training centres throughout the country and defines itself as a "reference operator for inclusion and social promotion through qualification and employment".

In order to carry out its actions, Afpa has two subsidiaries, one of which is intended to support companies and employees in employment and training, and the other to support job seekers.

Within the framework of its missions, Afpa offers a wide range of training courses in five categories
;

  • diploma courses ;
  • preparatory courses
  • vocational courses ;
  • work-linked training;
  • regulatory courses.


    The duration of Afpa's training courses is varied, ranging from 3 days to more than 6 months depending on the professional project. Likewise, they can be carried out face-to-face, at a distance or in blended learning.


To know more: According to its 2020 activity report, the Afpa is a partner of more than 6,000 companies and 1 in 8 employees has been trained by this organisation.

Consular chambers - CCI, CMA and agriculture

The consular chambers are public bodies responsible for ensuring the interests of local businesses in the following professional branches:

  • commerce and industry (CCI)
  • trades and crafts (CMA);
  • agriculture.
    Among their missions, they also ensure the development of skills specific to their fields through vocational training and apprenticeship. 

    This educational support can target all audiences: young people in the context of initial training, companies, employees and job seekers.

    Conservatoire national des arts et métiers - CNAM

 Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (CNAM) is a public body attached to the Ministry of Higher Education, one of whose missions is to provide lifelong learning.

To this end, it provides career guidance, regardless of status, and offers all types of training in line with each individual's career development plan:diplôme ou certification ;

  • teaching on demand;
  • short training ;
  • validation of acquired experience.

The fields of activity targeted by CNAM's training courses are wide-ranging, from accounting to psychology to construction. Similarly, depending on the educational path chosen, training can be carried out through one teaching method or several combined teaching methods (face-to-face and distance learning, for example).

The training market has long been divided between private sector organisations on the one hand and public sector organisations on the other. But today a new player has taken a full place in the market.

 

EdTech and start-ups

The EdTech ecosystem and its start-ups are positioning themselves as a player in the vocational training sector that is somewhat different. Indeed, EdTech designs solutions that meet the new expectations of the training sector, where it is becoming necessary to accelerate the growth of educational technologies.

To achieve this, it operates in a broad field since it offers both :

  • new tools for companies and training organisations ;
  • new educational models for individuals. 
    Thus, this ecosystem is versatile and, in the same way that it has been able to help millions of employees to train during periods of short-time working, it can offer relevant solutions to professionals who wish to digitalise their training. 

 

What are the quality certifications applicable to vocational training actors?


Qualiopi certification

La certification Qualiopi

For a long time, no specific requirements were imposed by the regulations regarding the quality of the training courses provided by training organisations. Between Datadock, the numerous labels and other certifications, the context was then conducive to a great disparity of supply on the training market.

With a view to providing training providers' clients with greater clarity, the "Professional Future" law therefore introduced a quality procedure for organisations wishing to continue to benefit from training funding through public and mutual funds.

Thus, Qualiopi certification will become compulsory as of 1 January 2022. Obtaining it is conditional on the implementation of a quality approach that complies with the national reference system and is validated by an audit.

The EDUFORM label

EDUFORM is a quality label deployed by the Ministry of National Education and Youth. It is intended for all private and public training providers.

Recognised by the other players in vocational training, particularly prescribers and financiers, the EDUFORM label is awarded by the Ministry at the end of a labelling procedure comprising three main stages: admissibility, audit and examination of the application by the EDUFORM National Commission.

Obtaining the label is conditional on the deployment of a pedagogical approach that meets the 14 criteria of the quality reference system. The label is awarded for three years and automatically leads to Qualiopi certification.

 

What role will these actors play in the transformation of training?

Training is evolving, especially in terms of the pedagogical approach. 

As the main players in professional training, private and public service providers are responding to today's needs. In particular the need for training in digital tools, since more than 70% of training managers note an increase in training needs in this area (8). But they are also at the heart of the changes to come and must therefore be the drivers of the transformation. 

Firstly, by taking ownership of the quality approach introduced by the Professional Future Act. Then by relying on the technological expertise of EdTech to develop new learning experiences. This will ensure that tomorrow's vocational training is a model of quality, efficiency and satisfaction for all beneficiaries. 

         
Chapter XII

Glossary from A to Z

Adaptive learning: a method which enables modules to be offered to learners which adapt in real time to their level and profile (their knowledge, preferences, aptitudes, objectives, etc.). 

Blended learning: a mixed learning method which combines face-to-face training, implemented by a trainer, with distance learning, supported by digital training modules. 

Personal Training Account (PTA): this is a leading mechanism for facilitating the implementation of training activities. Linked to each person as soon as they enter working life and fed by their professional experience until retirement, the personal training account simplifies access to training.

Instructional designer: an expert in the digital creation of training content. His/her role is to carry out the pedagogical engineering to design the best learning experience for the learner.

Digital Learning Manager: a project manager in his own right, his mission is to create a new approach to internal training by leading projects to digitalise training in the company.

Initial training: initial vocational training is a continuation of the school curriculum. It therefore corresponds to the courses taken by young people as part of their training for a specific job before they enter working life.

Internal trainer: the internal trainer is an employee whose mission is to ensure the continuous professional training of teams. He or she is therefore responsible for transmitting, developing and updating know-how in order to ensure that human resources become more competent.

Continuous professional training: it enables people to acquire new skills during their working lives in order to return to or remain in employment and to secure or optimise their professional careers.

Pedagogical innovation: pedagogical innovation, also called innovative pedagogy, does not result exclusively from the evolution of teaching devices (serious games or mobile learning). It also refers to "new" methods and ways of working that often put the learner back at the centre of learning. It facilitates memory anchoring and information retention.

Learning experience platform (LXP): technology which, unlike the LMS which is more " supervisory " oriented, aims to create a training ecosystem where the pedagogy is centred on the learner's experience. 

Learning management system (LMS): software platform for centralising and managing e-learning.

Microlearning: learning format that aims to divide the acquisition of knowledge into several digital training sequences. Generally lasting between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, the educational content (animations, tests, games, computer graphics, videos, etc.) allows the user to get to the heart of the matter and learn about specific concepts quickly.

Mobile Learning: mobile learning is an innovative training medium that aims to deploy, as its name suggests, mobile learning so that training can be accessed anywhere, at any time and on any medium.

Skills development plan: this document lists all the training actions that can be carried out on the employer's initiative or requested by employees.

Virtual reality or augmented reality: innovative training solutions that enable people to move away from traditional theoretical teaching in order to learn differently. In fact, they are part of the tools of what is known as immersive learning.

Training manager: responsible for developing the skills of human resources, his or her role is to design and manage all training engineering.

Social Learning: a learning method which makes it possible to deploy an interactive and shared pedagogy based on the natural inclination of individuals for social relations.

Company tutor: the company tutor is an employee who is mainly involved in the integration of a newcomer. In this case, he or she acts as a guide whose job is to pass on the company's technical know-how, methods and culture in order to make the employee operational.

Sources