France overhauls vocational training and certification system in 2026

From 1 February 2026 France will replace two legacy schemes – the collective transitions (Transco) and the Pro‑A apprenticeship route – with a single "period of reconversion". The new tool can be triggered by either employer or employee and supports internal or external mobility, leading to certifications recorded on the RNCP, CQP or competency blocks.

At the same time France Travail has streamlined its support for jobseekers into two pathways: the "Essentiel" track, a basic accompaniment for all registrants, and the "Intensif" track for people furthest from employment. The agency aims to deliver 800 000 intensive pathways in 2026, with a focus on RSA beneficiaries, despite a budget squeeze and a cut of 515 full‑time equivalents.

A parallel reform of the RNCP/RS certification system, announced in 2025, tightens criteria for registration: higher proof of quality, traceability and impact on employment, a reduced initial registration period of three years, and mandatory alignment with digital, ecological and safety priorities. Non‑compliant dossiers face automatic refusals and sanctions.