What are the different vocational training schemes available?

Would you like to know about the various professional training schemes? There are many ways to get training when you are working or looking for a job. Can an employee claim training from his employer? Who can benefit from a training scheme? What are the different vocational training schemes?

What are the conditions of application of a training scheme? Which training scheme should I choose? We answer your questions in this comprehensive new guide.

What is a vocational training scheme?

A vocational training scheme is a resource to facilitate access to training for people in employment. This type of scheme is also open to unemployed people. Some schemes are available at the request of the employee. Others must be co-constructed with the employer. There are many ways of financing vocational training. These include the CPF, the CTP, retraining through work-linked training, the AIF, the skills development plan and the AFC.

Why use a training scheme?

Using a training scheme allows jobseekers and employees alike to train throughout their lives. Training is a real springboard. Going back to school can give you new skills, a job and a higher salary. It is also a way to retrain for a new career.

Choose the best vocational training

How to choose a training scheme?

It is important to take stock of your professional and personal objectives in order to choose the best vocational training. Three parameters can help you identify and select the right scheme:

• Your professional situation (employee, job seeker, entrepreneur, etc.).
• Your objectives (internal mobility, retraining, job search, etc.).
• Your needs (financing, remuneration, availability, etc.).

What training schemes are available on the employee's own initiative?

Several training schemes can be followed without setting up a project with your employer. Thus, you can freely access several training aid schemes such as the CPF, the CIF, the VAE, the PTP and many others. We present them to you.

The personal training account (CPF)

The personal training account allows you to follow one of the qualifying courses eligible for the scheme. Each employee contributes between €500 and €800 (for the lowest incomes) to training per year, up to a limit of €5 000 or €8 000. This money can be used to follow a short or long training course, whether distance or face-to-face. Simply consult the terms and conditions of each course in the online catalogue to choose a course that is compatible with your objective and your professional situation.

The Professional Transition Project (PTP)

The PTP is a framework that allows any employee to follow training to change jobs or professions. It is a training course designed to give you the opportunity to change your career. In principle, it is subject to a seniority condition.

Skills assessment (SA) 

This vocational training scheme enables you to take stock of your skills in order to define your professional and/or personal project.

Professional development advice (CEP)

This allows you to be supported in the development and implementation of your project. The employees of the civil service can access the following training schemes:

• The CPF ;
• Professional training leave;
• The training interview;
• The period of professional development.

Which training schemes are at the employer's initiative?

The following training schemes cannot be taken on the employee's own initiative. The employer may offer these training courses to his employees. If not, the employee can submit a request, but cannot start a training course without the employer's agreement.

The skills development plan

Formerly the training plan, the skills development plan has existed since 1 January 2019. This document lists all the training courses chosen by the employer and made available to the company's employees.

Training in a company

Work-linked retraining or promotion (Pro-A)

This scheme offers work-linked training. It is designed to enable the employee to benefit from a promotion or to move into a new profession. This resource is open to all employees on permanent contracts, including those on single integration contracts (CUI). It is also open to employees on part-time work, sports employees and professional trainers on fixed-term contracts. To be eligible, you must have a qualification below the level of a bachelor's degree (which corresponds to a bachelor's degree + 3 years).

The professional interview

This interview allows you to analyse your career development prospects with your employer.

The professional training period

This scheme allows you to take part in work-linked training courses leading to qualifications. Considered as tailor-made training in a company, it offers you the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out your current duties. Would you like to know more about the financing of vocational training ? Discover the complete guide proposed by IPAG to give a new impetus to your professional life.