Professional Contract
Verified 01 January 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The contract of professionalisation is a contract of work alternately between a private sector employer and an employee meeting certain criteria. It enables the acquisition of a professional qualification in the context of continuing education. The contract of professionalisation must be written and may be fixed term (CDD) or indefinite term (CDI). The employee has the support of a guardian.
Before 26
The contract of professionalisation is a contract of employment alternating. This principle allows for the association of education in a continuing education organisation and periods of practice within one or more companies.
It shall aim to obtain qualifications or diplomas corresponding to one of the following qualifications:
- Qualification of the National Register of Professional Qualifications (NCCPR)
- Qualification recognised in the classifications of a national branch collective agreement
- Qualification on the list of candidates eligible for a certificate of professional qualification
Experimentation that allows a "tailor-made" training course (not necessarily qualifying or certifying) is extended until December 23, 2023.
Employers and operators of skills may define themselves, in agreement with the employee, the skills to be acquired under the contract of professionalisation.
Persons concerned
The contract of professionalisation is addressed to the following persons:
- Youth aged 16 to 25 years (26 years less a day) to complete their initial training
- Recipient of RSA: titleContent
- Recipient of the specific solidarity allowance (SSA)
- Recipient of Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
Employers concerned
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Private Employer
Any private sector employer (company, association, mutual, cooperative).
Please note
the individual employer is excluded from the scheme.
Public Employer
Only Epic: titleContent and weapons companies.
Shape
The contract of professionalisation must be written and may be concluded under a fixed-term contract (CSD) or an indefinite contract (CDI). It shall be drawn up using form cerfa n°12434:
Content
The contract shall designate a guardian and shall indicate the following information:
- Nature of the contract (CDD or CDI)
- Job
- Working time
- Salary
- Professionalisation actions specifically envisaged
The contract may provide for test period.
It may not contain deviation clause.
FYI
a detailed description of the associated training and training organisation concerned shall be annexed to the contract.
Validation
The contract must be sent to theOpco: titleContent within 5 days of signing.
TheOpco: titleContent has 20 days to object to and cancel the contract if he considers that the contract contains provisions that are illegal or not in accordance with collective agreements.
Convention with a host company
The employee may complete training in other companies for equipment or techniques not used by the employer. Hospitality within these companies shall not exceed half of the company training time provided for in the contract of professionalisation.
An agreement shall be concluded between the employer, the host companies and the employee in a contract of professionalisation. It shall specify in particular the following:
- Title, diploma or certificate of professional qualification prepared
- Duration of welcome period
- Nature of the tasks assigned to the employee
- Hours and places of work
Commitment of the parties
The employee undertakes to work on behalf of his or her employer and to undergo the training provided for in the contract.
The employer undertakes to provide training to the employee so that he can acquire a professional qualification. It also undertakes to provide the employee with a job in relation to his/her professional objective.
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CDD
Initial Duration and Extension
The contract can be concluded for a period of 6 to 12 months.
However, the duration of the CDD may be extended to 36 months for the following:
- Young person aged 16 to 25 out of the school system without qualifications
- Youth aged 16 to 25 years to complete initial training and registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA) or Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
It can also be extended up to 24 months for other employees or where the qualification concerned so requires. Beneficiaries and the nature of qualifications must be defined by collective agreements.
Renewal
The contract may be renewed 1 time if the beneficiary who has obtained the qualification concerned prepares a higher or additional qualification.
The CSD may also be renewed if the beneficiary has not obtained the relevant qualification for one of the following reasons:
- Failed to get qualification
- Maternity or adoption
- Disease
- accident at work
- Absence or insufficiency of courses provided by the training organisation
CDI
The contract includes training (professionalisation action) over a period of 6 to 12 months at the beginning of the contract.
However, the duration of this training period may be extended up to 36 months for the following:
- Young person aged 16 to 25 out of the school system without qualifications
- Youth aged 16 to 25 years to complete initial training and registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA) or Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
It can also be extended up to 24 months for other employees or where the qualification concerned so requires. Beneficiaries and the nature of qualifications must be defined by agreements or conventions.
The extension takes place over the period of alternation. The contract of employment continued under the CDI.
The length of time worked varies according to the age of the employee.
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Major Employee
The duration of the working time must be mentioned in the contract.
The legal duration of work The staff is set at 35 hours per week. The time spent at the training centre is actual working time and is included in the work schedule.
The working time of the employee in a professional contract is identical to that of the other employees.
He can't work more than maximum permitted daily working time.
The employee in a professional contract can work overtime. He or she may not refuse to perform these hours except for a valid reason (e.g., if this prevents him or her from attending the training centre).
The overtime shall be entitled to the same counterparties as other employees.
Minor
All employee under 18 has specific provisions on working hours, rest periods and public holidays.
Paid Leaves
The employee shall enjoy the same rights as other employees with regard to the acquisition of paid vacation. Training Centre periods are taken into account in calculating the accrual of paid leave.
Leave is taken outside of training periods. The employer can decide how long the employee takes his or her leave.
Please note
if the employee is under 21 years of age as of april 30 of the previous year, the employee may apply for additional leave without pay, up to 30 days business per year. The age requirement shall be assessed on 30 April of the year preceding the application.
Specific Leaves
The employee in a professional contract is entitled to the same leave as the other employees of the company.
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No seniority condition
Some absences are eligible for specific leave which, depending on the case, may be paid.
These include:
- Family event leave (Civil partnerships, marriage, birth of a child or arrival of a child for adoption, death of close relative, announcement of occurrence of a disability in a child)
- Time off from the arrival of a child at home (absence for medical examinations during pregnancy, maternity leave, adoption, paternity)
- Sick and disabled child leave (absence for sick or parental leave)
- Severe illness leave (family solidarity leave or close caregiver leave)
With seniority condition
Some absences are eligible for specific leave with seniority.
These include:
The training of an employee in a professional contract takes the form of assessment and support actions and general, professional and technological courses.
Who's training?
Training activities shall be carried out either by the company (if it has a training service) or by a public or private training body. Training is free.
Duration of training
Training time is at least 150 hours per year.
It shall also represent 15% and 25% of the total duration of the contract of professionalisation if it is fixed-term.
Minimum duration may exceed 25% by a branch or interbranch agreement, and for certain categories of employees, in particular in the following cases:
- Young person aged 16 to 25 out of the school system without qualifications
- Youth aged 16 to 25 years to complete initial training and registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA) or Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
One national business card shall be issued by the training body or service. It allows you to benefit from reduced rates.
Warning
the assessment and accompanying actions and general lessons must start within 2 months of the signing of the employment contract.
The employee in a professional contract is supported by a tutor within the company that employs it and the other companies that host it.
The guardian must be a qualified employee of the company and have at least 2 years of professional experience in relation to the qualification concerned.
It cannot handle more than 3 beneficiaries of professionalisation or apprenticeship contracts. If tutoring is provided by the employer, the maximum is 2.
The contract of professionalisation can be executed in part abroad for 1 year maximum. In this case, the duration of the contract may be increased to 24 months, of which at least 6 months are executed in France.
During this period, the host company or training organisation shall be solely responsible for the conditions of performance of the employee's work. These are determined by the legal and contractual provisions in force in the host country (remuneration, working hours, leave...).
An agreement may be concluded between the employee, the employer in France, the employer abroad, the training organisation in France and, possibly, the training organisation abroad.
The law imposes a minimum wage indexed to the Smic: titleContent for the holders of a professional contract. The minimum remuneration varies according to the age and level of qualification of the employee. It applies for the duration of the CSD or, in the case of a CDI, for the duration of the professionalisation action.
A more favourable remuneration for the employee may be provided for by contractual provisions or the contract of employment.
Minimum pay
A minimum basic remuneration applies to holders of a non-professional baccalaureate degree or diploma or diploma below baccalaureate.
It is increased if the young person holds a certificate or diploma for professional purposes equal to or greater than the bac level.
Increases relating to the transfer from one age group to another shall take effect from 1to day of the month following the alternate's birthday.
Employee Age | Minimum basic salary (gross) | Increased minimum wage (gross) |
|---|---|---|
Under 21 | 55% of the Smic €940.11 | 65% of the Smic €1,111.04 |
21 to 25 years inclusive | 70% of the Smic €1,196.50 | 80% of the Smic €1,367.43 |
FYI
the holder of a general baccalaureate who signs a contract of professionalisation benefits from the basic minimum wage.
In-kind benefit salary deduction
The in-kind benefits can be deducted from salary up to 75% deductions permitted for other company employees. However, the amount of these deductions may not exceed 3/4 of the minimum monthly remuneration applicable to the contract holder.
Transport costs
The employee shall be entitled to be paid freight to get from home to work.
At time of hiring
The employer must organise a information and prevention visit or a medical examination of suitability for recruitment.
Other medical examinations
The employee also benefits from periodic visits and recovery visit after a work stoppage.
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CDD
The fixed-term contract (fixed-term contract) is terminated either because it is coming to an end or because it is subject to an early breach.
The professionalisation contract is subject to the CDD break.
FYI
no termination compensation (or precarious allowance) is due.
CDI
The contract may be terminated under the terms of the CDI: break at the initiative of the employer or employee or conventional break.
The employer must provide you with all of the following documents:
- Certificate of Work
- Pôle emploi Attestation
- Balance of any account
- Participation schemes, incentive schemes, wage savings schemes within the company, summary of all amounts and securities saved
From 26 years
The contract of professionalisation is a contract of employment alternating. This principle allows for the association of education in a continuing education organisation and periods of practice within one or more companies.
It shall aim to obtain qualifications or diplomas corresponding to one of the following qualifications:
- Qualification of the National Register of Professional Qualifications (NCCPR)
- Qualification recognised in the classifications of a national branch collective agreement
- Qualification on the list of candidates eligible for a certificate of professional qualification
Experimentation that allows a "tailor-made" training course (not necessarily qualifying or certifying) is extended until December 23, 2023.
Employers and operators of skills may define themselves, in agreement with the employee, the skills to be acquired under the contract of professionalisation.
Persons concerned
The contract of professionalisation is addressed to the following persons:
- 26-year-old job applicant
- Recipient of RSA: titleContent
- Recipient of the specific solidarity allowance (SSA)
- Recipient of Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
Employers concerned
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Private Employer
Any private sector employer (company, association, mutual, cooperative).
Please note
the individual employer is excluded from the scheme.
Public Employer
Only Epic: titleContent and weapons companies.
Shape
The contract of professionalisation must be written and may be concluded under a fixed-term contract (CSD) or an indefinite contract (CDI). It shall be drawn up using form cerfa n°12434:
Content
The contract shall designate a guardian and shall indicate the following information:
- Nature of the contract (CDD or CDI)
- Job
- Working time
- Salary
- Professionalisation actions specifically envisaged
The contract may provide for test period.
It may not contain deviation clause.
FYI
a detailed description of the associated training and training organisation concerned shall be annexed to the contract.
Validation
The contract must be sent to theOpco: titleContent within 5 days of signing.
TheOpco: titleContent has 20 days to object to and cancel the contract if he considers that the contract contains provisions that are illegal or not in accordance with collective agreements.
Convention with a host company
The employee may complete training in other companies for equipment or techniques not used by the employer. Hospitality within these companies shall not exceed half of the company training time provided for in the contract of professionalisation.
An agreement shall be concluded between the employer, the host companies and the employee in a contract of professionalisation. It shall specify in particular the following:
- Title, diploma or certificate of professional qualification prepared
- Duration of welcome period
- Nature of the tasks assigned to the employee
- Hours and places of work
Commitment of the parties
The employee undertakes to work on behalf of his or her employer and to undergo the training provided for in the contract.
The employer undertakes to provide training to the employee so that he can acquire a professional qualification. It also undertakes to provide the employee with a job in relation to his/her professional objective.
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CDD
Initial Duration and Extension
The contract can be concluded for a period of 6 to 12 months.
However, the duration of the CDD may be extended to 36 months for the following:
- Claimant 26 years of age and over registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA) or Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
It can also be extended up to 24 months for other employees or where the qualification concerned so requires. Beneficiaries and the nature of qualifications must be defined by collective agreements.
Renewal
The contract may be renewed 1 time if the beneficiary who has obtained the qualification concerned prepares a higher or additional qualification.
The CSD may also be renewed if the beneficiary has not obtained the relevant qualification for one of the following reasons:
- Failed to get qualification
- Maternity or adoption
- Disease
- accident at work
- Absence or insufficiency of courses provided by the training organisation
CDI
The contract includes training (professionalisation action) over a period of 6 to 12 months at the beginning of the contract.
However, the duration of this training period may be extended up to 36 months for the following:
- Claimant 26 years of age and over registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA) or Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
It can also be extended up to 24 months for other employees or where the qualification concerned so requires. Beneficiaries and the nature of qualifications must be defined by agreements or conventions.
The extension takes place over the period of alternation. The contract of employment continued under the CDI.
The duration of the working time must be mentioned in the contract.
The legal duration of work The staff is set at 35 hours per week. The time spent at the training centre is actual working time and is included in the work schedule.
The working time of the employee in a professional contract is identical to that of the other employees.
He can't work more than maximum permitted daily working time.
The employee in a professional contract can work overtime. He or she may not refuse to perform these hours except for a valid reason (e.g., if this prevents him or her from attending the training centre).
The overtime shall be entitled to the same counterparties as other employees.
Paid Leaves
The employee shall enjoy the same rights as other employees with regard to the acquisition of paid vacation. Training Centre periods are taken into account in calculating the accrual of paid leave.
Leave is taken outside of training periods. The employer can decide how long the employee takes his or her leave.
Specific Leaves
The employee in a professional contract is entitled to the same leave as the other employees of the company.
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No seniority condition
Some absences are eligible for specific leave which, depending on the case, may be paid.
These include:
- Family event leave (Civil partnerships, marriage, birth of a child or arrival of a child for adoption, death of close relative, announcement of occurrence of a disability in a child)
- Time off from the arrival of a child at home (absence for medical examinations during pregnancy, maternity leave, adoption, paternity)
- Sick and disabled child leave (absence for sick or parental leave)
- Severe illness leave (family solidarity leave or close caregiver leave)
With seniority condition
Some absences are eligible for specific leave with seniority.
These include:
The training of an employee in a professional contract takes the form of assessment and support actions and general, professional and technological courses.
Who's training?
Training activities shall be carried out either by the company (if it has a training service) or by a public or private training body. Training is free.
Duration of training
Training time is at least 150 hours per year.
It shall also represent 15% and 25% of the total duration of the contract of professionalisation if it is fixed-term.
Minimum duration may exceed 25% by a branch or interbranch agreement, and for certain categories of employees, in particular in the following cases:
- Claimant 26 years of age and over, registered for more than one year in Pôle emploi
- Recipient of active solidarity income (RSA), the specific solidarity allowance (SSA), Adult Disability Allowance (AAH)
- Person coming out of Single Insertion Contract (CUI)
Warning
the assessment and accompanying actions and general lessons must start within 2 months of the signing of the employment contract.
The employee in a professional contract is supported by a tutor within the company that employs it and the other companies that host it.
The guardian must be a qualified employee of the company and have at least 2 years of professional experience in relation to the qualification concerned.
It cannot handle more than 3 beneficiaries of professionalisation or apprenticeship contracts. If tutoring is provided by the employer, the maximum is 2.
The contract of professionalisation can be executed in part abroad for 1 year maximum. In this case, the duration of the contract may be increased to 24 months, of which at least 6 months are executed in France.
During this period, the host company or training organisation shall be solely responsible for the conditions of performance of the employee's work. These are determined by the legal and contractual provisions in force in the host country (remuneration, working hours, leave...).
An agreement may be concluded between the employee, the employer in France, the employer abroad, the training organisation in France and, possibly, the training organisation abroad.
Mobility Implementation Agreement Template
Model mobility implementation agreement of 4 weeks or less
The contract of professionalisation may be executed in part abroad for a period not to exceed 1 year.
During this period, the host company or training organisation shall be solely responsible for the conditions of performance of the employee's work. These are determined by the legal and contractual provisions in force in the host country (remuneration, working hours, etc.).
An agreement may be concluded between the employee, the employer in France, the employer abroad, the training organisation in France and, possibly, the training organisation abroad.
Minimum pay
The (gross) remuneration of an employee aged 26 or over may not be less than the minimum wage (€1,709.28 monthly), or 85% of the minimum remuneration provided for in the company's applicable contractual arrangements.
A more favourable remuneration for the employee may be provided for by contractual provisions or the employment contract.
In-kind benefit salary deduction
The in-kind benefits can be deducted from salary up to 75% deductions permitted for other company employees. However, the amount of these deductions may not exceed 3/4 of the minimum monthly remuneration applicable to the contract holder.
Transport costs
The employee shall be entitled to be paid freight to get from home to work.
At time of hiring
The employer must organise a information and prevention visit or medical examination for fitness for employment.
Other medical examinations
The employee also benefits from periodic visits and recovery visit after a work stoppage.
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CDD
The fixed-term contract (fixed-term contract) is terminated either because it is coming to an end or because it is subject to an early breach.
The professionalisation contract is subject to the CDD break.
FYI
no termination compensation (or precarious allowance) is due.
CDI
The contract may be terminated under the terms of the CDI: break at the initiative of the employer or employee or conventional break.
The employer must provide you with all of the following documents:
- Certificate of Work
- Pôle emploi Attestation
- Balance of any account
- Participation schemes, incentive schemes, wage savings schemes within the company, summary of all amounts and securities saved
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For general information
The informants who answer you are from the Ministry of Labour.
Cost: Free Service
Attention: service not responding questions concerning unemployment compensation and the representations made to Pôle emploi, civil servants or contractors, the amount or payment of social, wage or employer contributions.
The service is available at the following times:
- Monday: 8:30 to 17:30
- Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
- Thursday: 8:30 to 17:30
- Friday: 1 pm to 4:15 pm
To inform yourself and find an interlocutor if you are under 26
Local MissionTo inform yourself and find a contact if you are over 26 years old
Pôle emploi
- Labour Code: Articles L6325-1 to L6325-4-1Subject matter and opening conditions
- Labour Code: Articles L6325-5 to L6325-7Training and performance of contract
- Labour Code: Articles L6325-8 to L6325-10Salary and working hours
- Labour Code: Articles L6325-11 to L6325-15Duration and implementation of professionalisation actions
- Labour Code: Article L3164-9Employee annual leave under 21 years
- Labour Code: Articles L6325-23 to L6325-24Companies of temporary work
- Labour Code: Article L6325-25Mobility in the European Union and abroad
- Labour Code: Articles D6325-1 to D6325-5Training, registration and breach of contract
- Labour Code: Articles D6325-6 to D6325-10Tutoring
- Labour Code: Article D6325-11Document specifying the organisation of the training, annexed to the contract of professionalisation
- Labour Code: Article D6325-14 to D6325-18Salary and salary increments the month following the alternate's birthday
- Labour Code: Article D6325-29Trades Student Card
- Labour Code: Articles D6325-30 to D6325-32Arrangement with the host company
- Labour Code: Articles R6325-33 to R6325-36Mobility within or outside the European Union
- Labour Code: Article D6332-87Professionalisation Contract: Pôle emploi Support
- Labour Code: Section R5221-1 to R5221-7Foreigner Student (R5221-7)
- Circular DGEFP n°2012-15 of 19 July 2012 on the implementation of the professionalisation contract (PDF - 196.0 KB)
- Decree No. 2018-1263 of 26 December 2018 on experimentation extending the contract of professionalisation to the acquisition of skills defined by the employer and the operator of skills
- Decision of 26 December 2018 on the terms of reference for the evaluation of the experimentation of the professionalisation contract
- Decision of 22 January 2020 on the model agreement implementing a mobility not exceeding 4 weeks
- Decision of 22 January 2020 on the model mobility implementation agreement
FAQ
- Aid for hiring alternately through a professional contract
- Advance Loca-Pass: help to the tenant for the security depositService-Public.fr
- Salary contributions - Private sector employeeService-Public.fr
- The professionalisation contractMinistry of Labour
- Competency Operator List (OPCO)Ministry of Labour
- Search for alternating trainingMinistry of Labour
- Trades Student Card (PDF - 242.4 KB)Ministry of Vocational Training