For the first time, more than 1 young people are apprentices in craft businesses, a figure up 200.000% over one year

An overall increase of 14% over one year, which confirms the positive momentum initiated the previous year. With 1 out of 4 apprentices evolving in the sector, the craft industry confirms its central role for the training and employment of young people.

For the 2nd consecutive year, a sharp increase in the number of craft apprentices with +14% enrollment

Over the 2021-2022 school year, more than 201.000 young people have been welcomed and trained by companies in the crafts sector.

A figure up 14% over one year, which confirms the good momentum observed from the year 2020-2021 (+ 14% over one year as well) and recalls the positive impact of the apprenticeship reform (Law for the freedom to choose one's professional future – 09.2018).

From now on, one out of four apprentices in France works in the crafts sector (24%).

Craftsmanship n°1 for employment and training of young people, 1 out of 10 employees in the sector is an apprentice

While 6 of the 10 sectors that take in the most apprentices are in the craft sector, the sector is also central to youth employment. 1 out of 10 craft employees is an apprentice, three times more than in the industry and service sectors and 10 times more than in agriculture.

For Marielle Vo-Van Liger, MAAF Marketing and Communication Director: “The craft sector confirms its status as the number one sector for training and employment of young people, everywhere in France. These figures are indicative of the mobilization of "small" craft businesses which, despite the crises and inflation, have chosen to continue to welcome more and more young people, to pass on their knowledge and support them in training courses in increasingly ambitious. In just 1 years, the proportion of young craft apprentices preparing for a higher education diploma level has doubled. Finally, the sector confirms its significant needs in terms of hiring, with a six-month employment rate for young apprentices that exceeds 3% in certain activities such as butchers, roofers or ambulance drivers. »

The number of apprentices increases by 20% in artisanal manufacturing and service activities

The increase in the number of apprentices concerns all craft activities, those which traditionally take in a large number of young people each year, like the construction industry, as well as those historically less invested in this training sector (paramedics, textile-clothing, the artisanal production of beers, biscuits, etc.). In detail, manufacturing and service activities recorded the strongest growth in the number of apprentices, with respectively + 20% and + 19% of new young people welcomed in 2021-22. With an increase of 8%, the food trades recorded an exceptional score for sectors among the most invested in the training of apprentices.

The bakery and pastry-making industry is thus the leading sector for the training of apprentices in France. Among the main sectors for the training of apprentices, the sectors of beauty care, building electricity and automobile repair were particularly attractive with a respective increase in apprentices of 38%, 18% and 18%.

For Catherine Élie, director of studies at the Institut Supérieur des Métiers: “For the second year in a row, craftsmanship surprises with its ability to accommodate ever more apprentices. The number of apprentices also crosses the symbolic threshold of 200.000. The deal has also changed on the physiognomy of the courses. Crafts welcomes all levels of diplomas, leaving college, BAC. The share of higher education courses has doubled in just 3 years. Many young people and adults also choose the apprenticeship sector to reorient themselves or convert to a craft trade. Professions which thus confirm their attractiveness and their hiring needs in the context of the end of the health crisis. Some diplomas are particularly sought after, reflecting the tensions on the job market, particularly in the butchery-charcuterie trades, building roofing, equipment maintenance, ambulance driver or automobile repair. »

65% of apprentices find a job 6 months after graduation, 78% for BTS graduates

The rate of access to employment for apprentices trained in craft trades is on the rise, regardless of the level of qualification. Overall, 65% of apprentices who have completed their training find a job within 6 months (vs. 63% in 2020-21). By way of comparison, this rate is 38% among young people trained through school courses. In detail, the employment rate increases according to the level of diploma: from 59% for graduates of a CAP, it goes to 76% among graduates of a Professional Certificate and 78% for graduates of BTS.

Nearly 1 in 5 apprentices prepare for a higher education diploma, they were 1 in 10 in 2019

Artisanal apprenticeship progresses at all diploma levels. Since the apprenticeship reform of 2018, we have observed a real change in behavior in terms of the choice of diploma. So much so that for the first time, the CAP level includes less than half of the courses (49%), compared to 56% in 2019.

Conversely, training at the BP/BAC and higher education levels is attracting more and more young people: + 40% in BTS; + 32% in License, Bachelor and Master. Ultimately, more than 34.000 apprentices are preparing for a higher education diploma. They now represent 17% of apprentices, compared to 10% in 2019. A trend which is explained in particular by the opening of new apprenticeship courses at these diploma levels.

The beautiful dynamic of craft apprenticeship affects all regions, in cities as well as in rural areas

The number of apprentices trained in craft businesses is increasing in all regions and departments, with the exception of Corsica and Aisne. Occitania and Pays de la Loire recorded the highest increases.

This dynamic is found both in large cities and in rural areas. In detail, 20% of craft apprentices are trained in rural communes. Cities of less than 200.000 inhabitants attract almost half of apprentices, while only 28% of the population resides there. Finally, 24% of apprentices are trained in large cities with more than 200.000 inhabitants. It should be noted that craft apprenticeship remains half as developed in the Paris conurbation as on a national scale.

Study methodology

The “craft barometer” is produced by the Institut Supérieur des Métiers with the support of MAAF. Published 4 times a year, this barometer highlights the major trends in the development of the crafts sector in its various economic and social components (characteristics of leaders, companies, jobs, according to sectors and territories).

Sources: the barometer data come from the use, by the ISM, of national data files from the Ministry of National Education (SIFA and INSER JEUNES survey).