The school/business alliance: a winning strategy!
Connecting academic knowledge with the reality of the professional world has been one of INSEEC’s commitments for over 40 years. The work-study programme is designed as a training tool and allows students to make the link between the lessons and their implementation. The alternating rhythm can be carried out under 2 types of contracts: the apprenticeship contract and the professionalisation contract. The work-study program is only available to students in the 3rd year Bachelor’s programme, the 1st and 2nd year MSc programmes and the 1st and 2nd year Master’s programs of the Grande Ecole programme.
The rhythm of the work-study programme varies from school to school and from campus to campus. Do not hesitate to contact the school of your choice for more information.
Apprenticeship Contract VS Professionalization Contract :
What are the Differences?
Apprenticeship contract
- Type of employment contract: fixed-term or permanent
- Minimum duration: 6 months
- Maximum duration: 36 months
- Coverage: an annual flat rate, which, depending on the diploma, varies from €7,500 to €10,000 per year (in agreement with the OPCO)
- Costs for the employer: salary + possible remaining costs of training
- Salary: based on 3 factors (age, year of contract and collective agreement of the company). Visit www.alternance.emploi.gouv.fr
- Age of eligibility: under 30 years old
- Contract start date: no earlier than 3 months before the start of the training course (25% minimum training time in the contract) with the agreement of the OPCO
- Contract end date: up to 2 months after the end of the training course (in compliance with the 25% minimum training time in the contract) with the agreement of the CFA
- Mediator: Yes
Professionalization contract
- Type of employment contract: fixed-term or permanent
- Minimum duration: 12 months
- Maximum duration: 24 months
- Coverage: an hourly rate, which, depending on the OPCO, varies from €9.15/hour to €17/hour on average
- Costs for the employer: salary + possible remaining costs of training
- Salary: based on 2 factors (age and collective agreement of the company). Visit www.alternance.emploi.gouv.fr
- Age of eligibility: 16–25 years old and 26+ if registered at the job centre
- Contract start date: no earlier than 1 month before the start of the training course (15% minimum training time in the contract)
- Contract end date: up to 1 month after the end of the training course (15% minimum training time in the contract)
- Mediator: No
What is the OPCO?
- OPCO = Opérateur des Compétences, or skills operator
- There are 11 in France.
- Each company has an OPCO if it has made its mandatory payment.
- Which OPCO is responsible? Please look up a company’s CCID or ask the accountant.
- The company can be assisted by its OPCO training advisor.
- The OPCO covers part (sometimes all) of the training costs.
- Coverage depends on many parameters (type of contract, duration, sector of activity, etc.).
- To find your OPCO, go to www.cfadock.fr
Apprenticeship Contract VS Professionalisation Contract: Pros and Cons
Apprenticeship contract
+ Exemption from social security charges for employees earning less than 79% of the minimum wage
+ A longer contract, which can commence before the start of the course or continue after its end to challenge the student
+ Access to a mediator free of charge in the event of a complicated situation (conflict, financial problem, etc.)
+ Being able to Influence over the salary to be paid (it is possible to receive a higher salary than the legal minimum)
+ Better (sometimes complete) financial coverage of training courses by the OPCOs
+ Coverage depends on the duration of the contract and not on the number of hours of training
+ An exceptional aid of €8,000 paid by the state for companies with less than 250 employees
– Not possible to recruit an apprentice over 29 years old
+ 6 months of financial support from OPCO in case of breach of contract
Professionalisation contract
+ Higher legal minimum wage than an apprenticeship
– Little flexibility on start and end dates (1 month)
– No access to a mediator in case of complicated situation (conflict, financial problem, etc.)
+ Recruitment of more experienced applicants possible
+ Recruitment of applicants over 30 is possible provided you are registered as a job-seeker
+ Influence over the salary to be paid (it is possible to receive a higher salary
– Little exemption from payroll taxes
– Hourly coverage, which varies from €9 to €15/hour
+ An exceptional aid of €8,000 paid by the state for companies with less than 250 employees
– No support from the OPCO in case of breach of contract
The Corporate Relations Department, a team dedicated to your professional future
Throughout their studies, students on work-study programmes are supported by the Corporate Relations Department.
This is the service that accompanies you in your research and in the setting up of your contract. This service offers group and/or individual support and follow-up to all students who are looking for a professionalisation or apprenticeship contract.
The Corporate Relations Department is a consulting unit that provides you with various tools:
- CV and cover letter coaching & interview preparation and simulation.
- Posting of work-study offers rom our partners on the Corporate Relations Facebook page and the corporate portal.
- Organisation of company forums throughout the year (job dating).
- Job dating exclusively dedicated to a company coming to meet students.
Would you like to know more about our coaching? It’s happening here.
