- The Covid-19 crisis put a brake on learning, which nevertheless posted record figures in 2019 (+ 16% compared to 2018).
- The government will present measures on Thursday to support the sector, in particular to encourage companies to recruit young people through this means.
The days when the learning boom was celebrated seem far away. And yet it was in February. The Minister of Labor then announced a 16% increase in the number of young people entering apprenticeship between 2018 and 2019. But four months later, the time has come to celebrate. Because the coronavirus crisis has hit businesses, especially SMEs, large providers of apprenticeship contracts. Weakened, many of them had to take emergency measures: “Many apprentices have been placed on partial unemployment. In particular in the automotive sector, catering, construction, aeronautics, transport, hotels, etc. ”, notes Aurélien Cadiou, president of the National Association of Apprentices of France (Anaf). "And we observe an increase in breaches of contracts of the order of 2 to 4% in certain sectors," also says Yves Hinnekint, president of Walt, an association that brings together schools and CFA (work-study centers ).
But it is especially the start of the school year which worries: “The great period of recruitment of young people in sandwich courses spans between June and October. And there is a fear of a 20% drop in contract signatures during this period, because some companies will not resist the phase of deconfinement ”, fears Aurélien Cadiou. Yves Hinnekint is crossed by the same doubts: “We are currently receiving fewer contract offers from companies. They are very cautious about engaging in the training of a young person while they are expecting as for the economic recovery. And if a company can no longer secure its order book, it will not recruit work-study students, ”he said.
"Young people should not be the adjustment variable for the economic crisis"
Another concern is the appetite of young people for learning. "The CFA open days have been canceled this year, when they are very useful in attracting young people on this path," said Aurélien Cadiou. And CFAs are all the more tense as their funding depends on the number of contracts signed.
All hope now rests on the government. Because this Thursday, Emmanuel Macron and Edouard Philippe will bring together trade unions and employers' organizations at the Elysée Palace to work on solutions to the economic and social crisis linked to the epidemic. "With announcements on youth employment and apprenticeship. Because young people should not be the adjustment variable for the economic crisis we are going through, ”explains the entourage of Muriel Pénicaud, Minister of Labor , at 20 minutes .
Long-awaited hiring assistance
To go up the slope, the actors of apprenticeship await several measures of support of the State: "It is imperative financial and fiscal measures to encourage the companies to recruit young people in apprenticeship", affirms Yves Hinnekint. Pascal Picault, vice-president of the National Federation of regional associations of CFA directors (Fnadir), suggests that he "implement a general increase in assistance to employers to cover the cost of the first year of the apprentice , and to decide this measure for any company, whatever its size and the level of qualification of the apprentice ”. For its part, the Medef notably requested aid of 10,000 euros for the recruitment of an apprentice before December 31, while the U2P (craftsmen) estimated that a measure was needed to allow there to be zero cost to a company that takes an apprentice.
But that's not all: “We must also allow new apprentices to stay a year at the CFA if they have not found a host company, instead of 3 months as currently. And we must plan to increase aid for first equipment, aid for catering and accommodation, for driving licenses… ”, believes Aurélien Cariou. To convince more young people to take this route, Pascal Picault has other ideas: “We need to review the remuneration criteria based on the age and qualification of the apprentice to encourage the hiring of the less young , in particular on the jobs that are most under stress, ”he explains.
Claims that could be partially met this Thursday. "To consolidate the dynamics of apprenticeship, assistance for the hiring of apprentices will be announced," informs the Ministry of Labor. But after the government's announcements, it will be necessary to be patient, according to Yves Hinnekint: "There will necessarily be a lag time so that the enthusiasm of young people and businesses for learning regains its full momentum," he said.
Economy
Learning: How do aids work to encourage companies to do this?
learning
Economy
Why are apprenticeship training courses finally taking off in France?
- Company
- Youth
- Youth employment
- Training
- Learning
- Economy