Apprenticeship week - Crafts: a model of success

This week is indeed an opportunity to show the relevance of learning applied to the craft sector. The leading company in France, Crafts, today trains 35% of the total of apprentices in mainland France, or around 140 young people each year.

A study revealed by the FNPCA shows that nearly 8 out of 10 French people would advise their child or a loved one to choose apprenticeship to become an artisan (78%)^[1]. A relevant recommendation since this education system now allows 70% of apprentices^[2] to find a job within 7 months of the end of their training ... a real springboard!

Apprentices of the craft industry: what profile?

The apprentices of the craft, starting the preparation of their diploma, come for half of them from the college. A figure which explains that 46% of apprentices in the craft are minors against 28% in general apprenticeship. They are then 30%, resulting from a reorientation after high school, university or even a job. Finally, 20% of them are pursuing their diploma course and have therefore chosen to prepare a higher level diploma at the CAP.

Regarding the orientations by sector, these are the food activities where the propensity to train apprentices is highest with 1 apprentice for less than 2 VSEs. In artisanal VSEs for services and construction, this propensity is similar with around 1 apprentice for 9 VSEs. For manufacturing activities, the employment of apprentices is less widespread with 1 apprentice for 13 companies.

Finally, the distribution of male / female apprentices in crafts corresponding to the current structure of salaried jobs. Thus 26% of the apprentices are women and are mainly oriented towards the activities of: personal care, floristry, textiles, clothing, cleaning, pressing. Men, who represent 74% of apprentices, turn to the baking / pastry, construction, automotive and even metalworking trades.

What stepping stone to employment?

70% of apprentices found a job within 7 months of the end of their training^[2], a figure which confirms Handicrafts in the place of the leading employer of apprentices in France. The chances of access to employment increase with the level of diploma. In fact, 56% of graduates graduating from CAP are in employment, compared to 77% of holders of a Professional Certificate, 73% of holders of a Bac Pro or 75% of a BTS.

Handicrafts are also a way of doing business, especially among young people, and as proof, the under 30s represent one out of every 5 creators of craft businesses.^[3]. Another way of thinking about your job, at a time when young people, in particular, are less inclined to follow traditional careers and advocate autonomy and freedom.

Apprentices and teachers: cross portraits

Virginie, hairstylist

A hairdresser by training, Virginie is passionate about the artistic dimension of her profession, which she wanted to share by becoming a Hairdressing Trainer in 2009. Since then, she has passed on her knowledge to more than 900 apprentices. For her, apprenticeship is synonymous with very good integration into the job market and above all allows apprentices to do what they like, because there is learning in all areas.

Elodie, apprentice mechanic

Elodie is an apprentice mechanic; A graduate of a CAP, she has just passed her professional baccalaureate. Initially, mechanics and cars were a hobby that she practiced with her brother and friends, but thanks to the learning, the opportunity arose to make it her job. Today she plans to join a performance school to specialize in racing cars, and eventually be able to start her own business. For her, learning is above all a question of motivation: "Every motivated apprentice will get there".

^[1] BVA - FNPCA study - November 2017

^[2] ISM - Handicraft Learning Dashboard - 2017 Edition

^[3] ISM - Economic table of crafts - 2016: a changing entrepreneurship