The CAPEB deplores the Senate vote to subject apprentices to employee social security contributions.

At the initiative of the right and centrists, the upper house adopted this measure by 175 votes against 121, but this vote is far from final, as the debates on this social security budget will continue between the two houses of Parliament until the beginning of December at the earliest.

The government of Sébastien Lecornu proposed to remove the exemption from employee contributions for apprentices for contracts from January 1, 2026 - without affecting those in progress - which would have the effect of reducing their net salary.

The portion of remuneration exceeding 50% of the minimum wage was no longer subject to this exemption since this year.

In early November, the National Assembly largely opposed this measure, which the Senate therefore chose to reinstate.

"No economic study demonstrates that this exemption constitutes a strong incentive for the development of apprenticeships," the Senate's Social Affairs Committee stated in its report.

Such an exemption is "an exception in our country," insisted centrist rapporteur Elisabeth Doineau. Minister for Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin supported the senators' vote, believing it "restores a form of fairness" because it allows for "harmonization" with other employees of the company, who, "for the same gross salary paid by the employer, do not at all have the same net salary."

This measure could generate 320 million euros in revenue for Social Security in 2026, according to the government, and up to 1,2 billion in 2027.

The left, in the minority, strongly criticized this decision. "It's quite symbolic of the political choices of the Senate majority, quite awful for the less fortunate," lamented the communist Céline Brulin.

Even the Macronist group expressed its irritation, while the right wing had just rejected, a few minutes earlier, an increase in the CSG on capital income.

"It's mind-blowing. This morning, we were told that we're here to save money and not to look for revenue. And here you are, making 1,2 billion in revenue off the backs of young people. Capital, we don't touch it, but young people, that's not a problem," fumed Martin Lévrier (Renaissance).

"Everyone is in favour of apprenticeships (...) but our driving force is to try to reduce the Social Security deficit," Frédérique Puissat (LR) retorted.

CAPEB warns of the consequences of the Senate vote

The Senate's vote to eliminate social security contribution exemptions on apprentice wages is another setback for the building trades. CAPEB reaffirms the critical need to maintain a stable and supportive apprenticeship framework.

CAPEB deplores the Senate vote on article 9 of the PLFSS.

In the context of the examination of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS), CAPEB regrets the decision of a majority of senators to reintroduce the elimination of contribution exemptions for apprentices, contrary to the unanimous vote of the deputies against this provision in the National Assembly.

This decision will result in an immediate decrease in the net salary received by apprentices, thus harming the attractiveness of building trades, for which apprenticeship is a preferred access route, at a time when the sector needs to recruit massively to meet the needs of energy renovation and maintenance of living environments.

A direct impact on craft businesses that provide training.

Craft businesses, already facing a decline in activity and unprecedented recruitment difficulties, will not be able to sustainably absorb an increase in training costs or a decrease in attractiveness for young people.

CAPEB reiterates its proposal to focus public support on companies with fewer than 50 employees, which train the vast majority of apprentices and ensure the transmission of know-how essential to the continuity of the sector.

A contradictory signal for a sector under pressure

While the country lacks skilled workers to meet environmental and societal challenges, the removal of incentive schemes is a major obstacle to the training and employment of young people in the building trades.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, President of CAPEB: “Apprenticeships are at the heart of the craft model. By choosing to challenge the wage exemptions for apprentices, the Senate is sending an incomprehensible and deeply disrespectful signal to young people and the businesses that train them. This decision tramples on the realities on the ground and turns its back on the country's skills needs. We demand the immediate reinstatement of these exemptions, an essential condition for a coherent training and skills development policy. Craft businesses must be able to continue taking on apprentices under sustainable and transparent conditions.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.