Unified premium at 6.000 euros: the CMA network alerts the government to the risks of this "false good news"

The Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt confirmed the implementation of the unified bonus of 6.000 euros, paid to all companies, for contracts concluded with a work-study minor or major, from January 1 to December 31, 2023, for the first year. execution of the contract.

For Joël Fourny, President of CMA France: “It is clear that behind the announcement effect, the concrete consequences of this decision are worrying. This measure is actually unfavorable to craft businesses which nevertheless hire nearly 176.000 apprentices each year in shortage occupations. »

If the CMA network understands that the implementation of the exceptional bonuses deployed in 2020 during the health crisis was of a time-limited nature, it cannot - today - subscribe to the principle of this unified bonus.

• The amount allocated, namely 6.000 euros, is indeed lower than the aid paid to craft businesses before the health crisis.
• Companies with less than 250 employees then benefited from targeted aid over three years: €4.125 the first year, €2.000 the second and €1.200 the third.
• A simple calculation shows that compared to the single aid in force before covid, these companies will lose 125 euros for a two-year contract and 1.325 euros for a three-year contract.
• In concrete terms, the new unified premium reduces the aid granted to craft businesses and the training courses that have high added value for access to employment.

It is therefore a safe bet that apprenticeship recruitment for one year will be favoured, which is conducive to training that does not go beyond this duration, such as certain higher education masters, which will in fact be encouraged.

For Joel Fourny: “Clearly, the new unified premium reduces the aid granted to certain craft businesses. This is a real regression, while many professions are in tension and are struggling to recruit, in a context where a large part of our companies are already weakened by the crisis. This difference is further amplified for companies that choose to hire an adult. This is false good news for our companies, which nevertheless train 1 in 4 apprentices.”

The review of aid paid to employers must take into account:

• Added value for youth employment;
• The real levels and costs of training, including taking into account certain particularities such as those of Overseas France and the problem of high cost of living;
• The challenge represented by certain training courses in terms of preserving know-how that is sometimes threatened with extinction.

For Joel Fourny: “Once again the State favors a vision of short-term economy which favors new players (outside the craft sector) to the detriment of a truly strategic vision of apprenticeship. »

Consequently, the elected representatives of the CMA network, gathered on December 6 and 7 for their General Assembly, unanimously adopted a deliberation relating to aid for employers of apprentices. By this, the CMA network asks the government to restore, for companies with less than 250 employees, the amounts provided for by the single aid for the second and third year, on the one hand and on the other hand, guarantee the sustainability of this aid beyond the year 2023.

“The considerable growth in apprenticeship is welcomed by all. We have played our part with extremely positive results despite the successive crises. Let's preserve this dynamic! Apprenticeship in crafts is a powerful tool that keeps all its promises and has proven itself in terms of integration into employment and the fight against unemployment. Let's not break what worked very well yesterday! »

The CMA network currently trains 110.000 apprentices, 90% of whom are preparing for a level 3 and 4 diploma, which are reputed to be the diplomas with the highest added value in terms of the professional integration of young people. 46% of these apprentices are under 18 and 80% of young graduates are employed after seven months.