Worried about apprenticeships, CMAs boycott the inauguration of the Worldskills trade competition

"In a context marked by very strong concerns about the future of apprenticeship in France, the CMA network will not participate in the official inauguration of the national careers competition, on September 14 in Lyon, nor in the scheduled stroll with the ministers present", they indicate in a press release published Wednesday.

According to CMA France, these are the Minister of Vocational Education and Training Carole Grandjean, the Minister of Digital Transition Jean-Noël Barrot and the former Prime Minister Jean Castex.

Minister Carole Grandjean reacted to the AFP by regretting the CMA's decision. Their “claims should not interfere with this major meeting”, she declared, adding that she would open “this autumn consultations concerning the modalities for determining the subsidies received by apprentice training centers”.

The CMAs denounce the overall drop of 5% in the levels of support for apprenticeship contracts, ratified on September 7 by decree.

“In the very short term, the consequences of this decree are dramatic for our CFAs (apprentice training centers) since 57% of our training becomes loss-making and we lose, very concretely, our capacity to train in all professions in the craftsmanship", explain the CMA in their press release.

This “while the good apprenticeship results are welcomed by all and the symbolic bar of 200.000 apprentices has just been crossed in our sector”.

The CMA network will, however, be present in Lyon to "support its competitors", 73 young people trained in its CFAs, during this competition which displays its ambition to "promote professional training and the technical and manual skills of young people".

Even if he will not participate in official events, the president of CMA France Joël Fourny will also be in Lyon.

“The cost of training should not be considered as an expense but as an investment in the future of our young people and our professions! This is the line that I will defend in Lyon, with all decision-makers, with respect , determination and firmness,” he said in the press release.

Other ministers are expected at these days, such as the Minister of Education Gabriel Attal, the Minister of Transport Clément Beaune, the Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt and the Minister Delegate in charge of Gender Equality Bérangère Couillard.

The 47th edition of the national Worldskills competition brings together some 800 competitors until Friday, in 69 professions, before the world competition which will take place in 2024 also in Lyon.