Training eligible for CPF
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Validation of Prior Experiential Learning (VAE) is a statutory scheme, encapsulated in the French Labour Code, which allows you to validate the skills and experience acquired in the course of your personal life and career, with a view to obtaining a degree, diploma or professional qualification. The scheme is based on a process of checks, assessment and certification of your skills by an awarding panel.
The scheme enables you to:
All individuals, irrespective of their age, status or level of training, who can show at least one year of experience that is directly relevant to the target certification. This experience may be paid professional work (a permanent or temporary contract, unpaid volunteer work, work as a professional athlete, undertaking trade union duties, or pursuing an elected mandate or local office.
All training undertaken during initial or continuing education in a professional environment is also taken into account.
For more information about VAE, download the brochure (French version)
Funding arrangements vary based on your status as a private sector employee, public sector official, job seeker, or non-salaried worker (professional, farmer, craftsman, shopkeeper, freelancer, etc.)
The amount of funding varies depending on the awarding body.
| Applicant | French funding bodies |
|---|---|
| Unemployed (whether claiming benefits or otherwise) | Pôle Emploi (Employment Bureau) Regional Funding |
| Paid employee (permanent, short-term or temporary contract) at the employer’s initiative | Funding through the Staff Development Plan |
| Paid employee (permanent, short-term or temporary contract) at the worker’s initiative | Funding through OPCA under CPF OPACIF (under the framework of an individual VAE) |
| Public sector official | Administration or Public Body |
| Non-salaried (professionals, contractors, etc.) | FAF for non-salaried workers, Levying Bodies |
If you wish to enter the scheme on your own initiative, and the scheme will take place during your working hours, you must ask your employer for a leave of absence. If the employer agrees, you may then leave for your Validation of Prior Experiential Learning period (CVAE). This leave of absence is equivalent to 24 hours of work during which you will be able to:
Funding for expenses linked to the leave must be claimed from the tax body responsible for the individual training leave of absence (CIF): if agreed, the fees and costs linked to the scheme will be partly funded in whole or in part.
If you take part in the scheme on your own initiative, and it does not affect your working hours, you do not need to inform your employer.
If the scheme is organised by or for your employer, funding will be provided via your staff development plan.
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