France to Expand Job Search Scheme Nationwide
Rewritten Article:
Headline: Boosting Employment Opportunities for Young French Folks: France Travail Expands the Avenir Pro Program Nationwide
© Illustration notre site / Freepik By Charlotte Rousset - Employment sector journalist, specializing in social law, careers, and remuneration. Covered on...
Youth Unemployment on the Rise in France
According to the latest figures released by France Travail, a staggering 563,000 young people under 25 were unemployed in the first quarter of 2025. This alarming statistic represents 17.6% of the 3.2 million job-seeking youth in category A - those who are unemployed, immediately accessible, and actively seeking work. The increase in youth unemployment is a concerning trend that has emerged since the end of 2024.
In response to this alarming situation, France Travail has decided it's time to take action. Starting from the upcoming school year, they are rolling out the Avenir Pro program to all 2,200 professional high schools across France. Initially piloted in around 600 schools since 2021, this program will now be available to all students.
Breaking the Stigma of the "Untouchable Employer"
Until now, France Travail primarily offered support to young job-seekers once they joined the ranks of the unemployed. However, with the Full Employment Act, the approach has changed. It's now essential to "address the issue upstream," stresses Hélène Noblecourt, director of the Youth Insertion Mobilization pole at France Travail's former Pôle emploi. The expanded Avenir Pro program aims to involve all final-year students of Bac pro or CAP, providing tailored support to help bridge the gap between education and employment.
Paving the Way to Employment
In practice, specially trained France Travail agents will collaborate with teachers to support students, offering help with resume writing, interview preparation, and discovering local job opportunities. But the main goal is to facilitate contact with local employers through "job dating," making it easier for young people to establish themselves professionally for the first time.
Unlocking Potential
Because the young people supported by the Avenir Pro program often lack a network or previous work experience, they find employers to be an "unattainable, inaccessible figure." The aim is to ease their transition into the workforce by fostering connections with employers. So far, the results have been promising. Although still modest, with only 23% of students securing a job immediately after high school when the program was tested, Hélène Noblecourt acknowledges that it isn't enough. However, she emphasizes the program's positive impact in improving insertion rates by 45%. It's important to remember that this evaluation dates back to the program's inception, three years ago.
The CEJ for the Most Disadvantaged Youth
Who's Eligible for France Travail's Programs? Not everyone. Those who, despite the Full Employment Act, still find themselves without training or employment, are directed towards more tailored support. This support can come in the form of the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ), which replaced the Youth Guarantee in March 2022. This program is aimed at those furthest from employment and is based on mutual commitment – in this case, between France Travail advisors and the young people they support.
The Cost of Skipping School - Are You Prepared to Pay? Another significant aspect of the program is the monthly allowance, up to €561.68, depending on the profile. While this financial aid undoubtedly eases the burden on struggling families, Hélène Noblecourt emphasizes that it also enables young people to focus on job hunting, freeing their minds to engage in a genuine job search process. The results speak for themselves – half of the CEJ beneficiaries secure stable employment six months after their contract ends. As for the performance of vocational high school students, it will take two years to assess the effects of the national expansion of the Avenir Pro program.
Around this article * France Travail * employment * youth * support * unemployment
- The expanded Avenir Pro program, initiated by France Travail, aims to provide tailored support for final-year students, bridging the gap between education-and-self-development and employment opportunities.
- In politics, the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ) by France Travail, a replacement for the Youth Guarantee, offers more tailored support for the most disadvantaged youth, allowing them to focus on job hunting and improving their general-news prospects.
