Work-study contracts for adults
Here's an excellent article, concerning 2 existing schemes, which merited particular attention: Work-linked training. Adults can also take part in sandwich courses.
Light on two little-known schemes.
The adult professionalization contract (CPA) for jobseekers
Karina, 29, after studying to become an architect, realized that she needed something concrete, something in the field. After registering for unemployment, she contacted the AFPA and, on the advice of a trainer, opted for an adult vocational training contract to train as a technical assistant on site, attracted by the versatility of the job. « I spent 2 days a week at the AFPA site in Clermont-Ferrand and 3 days at a construction company ». She learnt a lot from this alternation « êbeing out in the field enables her to apply what she learns in training, to check that she has understood and to integrate learning, which is very technical ».
At the end of this 15-month training course, during which she étéwas monitored by a tutor and paidémunérée at the minimum wage, Karina été hiredée in another company. Following à a bankruptcy a few months later, she decided to set up her own business as a contractor. With hindsight, she feels that the professionalization contract is a good formula for adults. « The only difficultyé is finding a company that is willing êto take you on and àtrain you. I’ve been lucky that wayé-là ».
The période de professionnalisation to train seniors
The période de professionnalisation is aimed at employeeséwhose qualifications prove insufficient in the light of éevolving technologies and work organization, employees with 20 years’seniorityé or âgés over 45, women returning from parental or maternity leaveé disabled workersés and people planning to set up or take over a business. This training period is also based on alternating trainingéi.e. theoretical courses and work experience in a company. It enables people to advance in their jobs or acquire new skills. This was the case for a secretary in a construction company who was looking to édevelop her skills in site planning or in construction worké
.In both cases, the person obtains a certification : diplomaôme, homologated titleé certificate of professional qualification or qualification recognized by the professional branch. The duration varies between 6 and 24 months. As part of the professionalization period, training is generally carried out during working hours, and the employeeés salary is maintained by the employer. However, they can be carried out in whole or in part outside working hours. Since January 1, 2010, the scheme has been open to people on fixed-term or indefinite-term contracts who have signed a CUI (Contrat Unique d’Insertion).
In its 2010 annual report, the French National Audit Office (Cour des Comptes) pointed out that the two schemes - the adult professionalisation contract (CPA) and the professionalisation period (période de professionnalisation) - remained underused, insufficiently targetedéor poorly masteredéby companies. It pointed out that CPAs accounted for just 17% of all contracts, and recommended greater involvement by the government and social partners in developing a culture of work-linked training among adults.
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