Training and requalification
Alsace and the Grand Est Region provide a variety of training and professional retraining opportunities for adults. Here’s an overview of the available programs!
Continuing education for adults
Continuing education for adults is a key public service provided by the national education system. In Alsace, the GRETA network plays a central role in this field, offering a comprehensive range of services for individuals and businesses across the region. The main objective is to help professionals enhance their skills and advance their careers throughout their working lives.
The GRETA network : training and diplomas
The GRETA network is part of the national education system, specializing in adult training across various trades. It offers pathways to earn diplomas ranging from CAP (Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle) to BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur), as well as individual training modules. For other educational levels, continuing education services at universities or the CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers) handle training.
The GRETA network can help you with:
- Continuing or resuming general or vocational education,
- Preparing for professional or technological diplomas (from CAP to BTS),
- Preparing for competitive exams,
- Increasing your qualification level,
- Adapting to evolving job roles and skills within a company,
- Developing a professional project,
- Skills enhancement,
- Career retraining,
- Validating your professional experience.
More information : https://www.greta-cfa-alsace.fr/
Apprenticeship programs for adults
Adult apprenticeships offer individuals over 18 the chance to complete, enhance, or gain new professional skills through an apprenticeship system. This pathway is highly effective for professional integration, providing tangible employment opportunities by addressing the specific needs of businesses.
Adult apprenticeships can lead to various levels of professional qualifications, such as:
- Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)
- Baccalauréat (BAC)
- Diplôme de technicien (DT)
- Diplôme d’aptitude professionnelle (DAP)
- Certificat de Capacité professionnelle (CCP)
A key advantage of this system is the practical training, where apprentices gain hands-on experience and receive employee status, earning a salary based on their training level and age. Additionally, numerous material and financial aids are available to support apprentices, including assistance with transportation, housing, and equipment.
More information: apprentissage-grandest.fr
Validation of prior learning (VAE)
The Validation of Prior Learning (Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience : VAE) process allows individuals, regardless of age, education, or status, to have their professional experience recognized by obtaining a professional diploma.
Through VAE, you can access:
- All professional diplomas from the national education system, including CAP, BEP, professional BAC, BP, and BTS across various fields, as well as accounting diplomas (DCG, DSCG), and state diplomas in health, social work, and social-educational fields.
- All university professional diplomas, including Professional Licenses and Professional Master’s degrees.
More information: https://www.greta-cfa-alsace.fr/validation-des-acquis-de-lexperience/
The CNAM
Founded in 1794, the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) has been dedicated to providing advanced vocational training to individuals seeking to enhance their professional skills.
It allows everyone to acquire a skill, a recognized diploma, or to access a higher level of qualification to advance in their career, find a job, change jobs, retrain, or update their knowledge.
Why choose CNAM?
- Employees receive support for professional development.
- Job seekers get assistance in finding employment.
- Professionals enhance their skills.
- Youth are trained for future careers.
As of July 31, 2023, CNAM Grand Est serves 4,976 trainees, supported by 910 teachers and 133 staff members.
More information: cnam-grandest.fr/
Professional transition or career change
Looking to switch careers, find new meaning in your work, or excel in a different field? Many options are available to help you make this transition.
Why consider a career change?
- Your current job no longer meets your personal satisfaction.
- You’re struggling to find employment in your area.
- Health issues make it difficult to continue in your current role.
The Grand Est Region offers support for career changes through four key programs:
- Professional Transition Program: Employees looking to switch careers can undergo certification training either during or outside work hours while continuing to receive their salary.
- Resignation – Career Change Program: This program enables employees to resign from their current position to pursue training, start, or take over a business, all while receiving unemployment benefits (ARE).
- Prevention of Wear and Tear Career Change Program: Aimed at employees facing professional risks, this program assists in transitioning to jobs with fewer risk factors.
- Collective Transitions Program: Supports employees whose positions are at risk by guiding them towards growing sectors.
More information: https://www.transitionspro-grandest.fr
Good to know: You can also utilize regional services for Validation of Prior Learning (VAE) or CléA certification.
You can also explore the training catalog for the Grand Est Region
Job fairs and events
Several events focused on training and professional retraining are organized each year in the Alsace region, for example:
- the Career guidance and professional development fair in Mulhouse
- the Alsace training and employment fair in Colmar
- the Night of career guidance in Strasbourg
- …