Expanding Job Search Assistance in France: Initiative Set to Include All Workforce Members
Unleashing the Future: France Travail Amps Up Avenir Pro Program for All Vocational High Schools Nationwide
By Charlotte Rousset, Journalist in the Employment section of our website, covering social law, career, and workers' remuneration
The unemployment rate for young people aged 25 and under remains sky-high at 17.6%, with 563,000 jobless, according to the latest figures from France Travail from the first quarter of 2025. To tackle this issue, France Travail has made a move to expand its Avenir Pro program to reach more jobless youth across the country.
Starting the upcoming academic year, Avenir Pro will extend its reach to every one of France's 2,200 professional high schools. Originally designed for students not planning to continue their studies, the program will now encompass others pursuing apprenticeship or work-study programs as well.
Hélène Noblecourt, director of the youth insertion mobilization pole at the former Pôle emploi, explained the objective as "making sure young people don't find themselves sidelined as soon as they leave high school."
Breaking the Barrier: Meeting "Unreachable" Employers
France Travail has historically only stepped in after young adults had already joined the unemployment ranks. But with the Full Employment Act, this approach is changing. By expanding Avenir Pro, the program seeks to act preemptively before students leave school.
Concretely, France Travail agents will get involved in classrooms, helping with resume writing, interview preparation, discovering local job needs, and organizing job dating events to facilitate the first professional connections, all with a focus on fostering relationships with "unreachable," unapproachable employers for many young people.
The program has substantially improved the employment rate of participating students: while only 16% found a job after their Bac pro, 23% now land a job upon leaving schools involved in the experiment. While this figure is modest, Hélène Noblecourt concedes that "it's not enough," which is why the program is expanding nationwide. Additionally, Avenir Pro has helped boost the employment rate of participating students by as much as 45%.
Embracing Support Beyond the Classroom
Although the Avenir Pro program primarily targets students still in school, France Travail's mission doesn't end there. For students who've completed school but lack either training or employment, there's the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ), a program that replaces the Youth Guarantee since March 2022. The program is based on a mutual commitment: France Travail promises to provide intensive support for six months, and the young person commits to attending workshops, training, or internships defined with their advisor. Moreover, program beneficiaries can receive a monthly allowance of up to €561.68, easing financial burdens and allowing them to focus on their job search. Half of CEJ beneficiaries secure a stable job six months after their contract ends.
While waiting for the evaluation of Avenir Pro's generalization, France Travail and local missions are working diligently to assist those furthest from employment, focusing on increased access to apprenticeships or local hiring incentives. Growth sectors like healthcare and BTP serve as primary targets for training, according to search results.
- To address the persistent high unemployment rate among young people, France Travail is expanding its Avenir Pro program to reach more jobless youth across the nation.
- Starting in the next academic year, Avenir Pro will be available in every one of France's 2,200 professional high schools.3.Originally intended for students not planning to continue their studies, the program will now cater to those pursuing apprenticeships or work-study programs as well.
- Hélène Noblecourt, a director at France Travail, hopes the extended reach of Avenir Pro will prevent young people from being sidelined after leaving high school.
- France Travail agents will help students with various aspects of job search, including resume writing, interview preparation, understanding local job needs, and organizing job dating events.
- These initiatives aim to foster relationships with previously unapproachable employers for many young people, potentially leading to more job opportunities.
- Participants in the Avenir Pro program have seen a significant improvement in their employment rate, with 23% landing a job upon leaving schools involved in the experiment, compared to 16% previously.
- Beyond the classroom, France Travail offers the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ) program, aimed at those who've completed school but lack training or employment. The CEJ provides intensive support, workshops, training, or internships, and a monthly allowance of up to €561.68, with half of CEJ beneficiaries securing a stable job six months after their contract ends.
