French industry expands technical training to meet recruitment needs

French industrial sectors are expanding specialized training programs to address significant labor shortages in electronics and aerospace.

Thales and the Université d’Angers are collaborating to launch a new work-study electronics program in Cholet. Scheduled to begin in 2027, the program aims to train 12 students in their third year of a Bachelor's degree (BUT) to meet the specific technical needs of local industries and support regional employment.

Simultaneously, the aerospace training center AFMAÉ has reached full capacity for its 2026-2027 academic year. The center is seeing high demand as the French aeronautics sector prepares for massive recruitment, with GIFAS estimating a need for 25,000 to 30,000 new workers in 2026 to support industrial growth and national sovereignty.