Vocational education and training is a key part of France's lifelong learning system. The system includes initial training programs before age 16, continuing training and retraining for employed and unemployed workers, and education programs for retirees. Public authorities at both the national and regional level play a role in funding and regulating vocational training. Employers are also legally required to contribute a percentage of their payroll to fund training activities for their employees. Social partners including labor unions and trade associations also participate in the vocational training system.

1. VET* in France * Vocational Education and Training

2. The Life-Long Learning Work force Unemployment training CONTINUING TRAINING Compulsory school < age 16 Universities for the elderly Retirement assistance Retirement EDUCATION INITIAL TRAINING « Life-Long Learning » Primary school Lower Upper 55 62/67 5/6 11 14/15 17/18 25/30 I I I I I I I University ages secondary school

3. Main key-figures

4. 125.3 billion euros – 6.6 % of the GDP Education fundings in 2007 30,17; 24% 13,74; 11% 0,98; 1% 66,86; 53% 5,43; 4% 8,165; 7% Ministry of education other ministries Companies local authorities Households other administrations

5. Financing continuing training & Apprenticeship in 2007 28.42 billion euros - 1.50 % of the GDP Central government Regional councils State & local authorities (as employers ) Unedic –employment insurance Households Companies

6. The continuing vocational training partners Service Providers Information providers Training Organisations Skills audit centres Firms Employee Training Financial Obligations Training for managers Public Authorities Central Government Regional Government Training Beneficiaries Job Seekers : Young People & Adults Employees Others : Public-sector Employees Self-employed Social Partners Trade Associations Labour Unions

7. Public Authorities

8. State ( Government-Ministries ) Regions ( Regional Councils ) Competences Public authorities and Training

9. Central government fundings Public authorities and Training Ministry in charge of Employment and other ministries State budget ESF ( European social fund) Aid to trainees Aid to training organisations Aid to firms and professionnal bodies Grants to the regional governments

10. Regional governments fundings Public authorities and Training The regional government Central government grant Regional income (taxes) ESF (European social fund) Training for youths Apprenticeship Aid to companies Aid to trainers Other aid Aid to training organisations

11. Training for Private-sector employees

12. Social partners Companies Training providers The main actors in the private-sector

13. Training plan Individual Training Leave (CIF) Individual Training Right (DIF) Individual right to receive training Courses offered by the Employers Particular type of employment contracts Alternance training contracts : Contract of professionalization Training measures

14. Legal obligation for Firms in financing training * percentage of the firm’s gross annual wage bill 0,20% 0,90% 0,50% Companies with a minimum of 20 employees 1,60%* 0,15% 0,90% Companies with 10 to 19 employees 1,05%* 0,40% 0,15% Companies with less than 10 employees 0,55%* Training Plans Professionalization and individual training right benefit Individual training leave

16. Training for unemployed people

17. Job seeker access to training Training courses Special work contracts Youths people aged 16 to 25 Adults 26 to 44 & 45 and more

18. Training benefits = T raining fees 2 main possibilities of funding current expenditures of training providers Public authorities and job seekers Part of salaries

19. Training Providers

20. Training providers in CVT Data according to their status - 2007

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