The government announces a reduction in subsidies for hiring apprentices

The subsidies paid to companies for hiring apprentices will soon be reduced for certain levels of training, particularly BTS (Advanced Vocational Training Certificates) and engineering degrees. However, they will remain unchanged for apprentices with disabilities, the Ministry of Labor announced.

Until now, this aid amounted to 6.000 euros per contract. It had already been reduced last year: SMEs with fewer than 250 employees received 5.000 euros, while large companies received only 2.000.

According to a draft decree obtained by AFP, the amounts will decrease further. For companies with fewer than 250 employees, the bonus will now be capped at €4.500 for apprentices preparing for a BTS or DUT (two-year post-secondary diploma). It will be limited to €2.000 for longer programs such as master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or engineering degrees.

For companies with 250 employees or more, the aid will be set at 1.500 euros for Bac +2 level diplomas, and at only 750 euros for higher education courses.

However, the support will remain at its initial level of 6.000 euros for hiring apprentices with disabilities.

These exceptional subsidies only apply to the first year of apprenticeship contracts starting before January 1, 2027.

The ministry estimates that these adjustments will generate savings of around 200 million euros in 2026, and up to 700 million by the following year.

The decree must come into force the day after its publication and will apply to contracts signed from that date.

Thanks to these public schemes, the number of apprentices in France has increased sharply, from 430.000 in 2017 to more than one million in 2023, in particular with the massive opening of apprenticeships to higher education and the service sector.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.