Work-Study Partnerships — Hire an Apprentice

Work-study is the preferred route to develop a future employee in your methods, culture and standards — while benefiting from substantial government grants.

Enerlab Academy provides apprentices from CAP to Master's level, ready to join your team for 6 months to 3 years.

01 Why hire through work-study?

Work-study combines the benefits of a long internship (training, ongoing assessment, low initial cost) with those of standard recruitment (mutual commitment, progressive productivity, culture transfer).

The contract is legally sound and financially supported.

Low-risk pre-hiring

Assess the candidate over 1 to 3 years before a permanent contract — average work-study → permanent hire conversion rate: 70%.

Controlled cost

Government grant up to €6,000 in year 1 + reduced salary (% of minimum wage by age) + apprenticeship tax deduction.

Operational training

The apprentice applies at work what they learn at school — you shape their profile from day one.

Employer brand

Training commitment valued — CSR, employer branding, campus visibility.

02 Available contracts

Two legal frameworks depending on the candidate's age and profile.

Criterion	Apprenticeship contract	Professionalisation contract
Target age	16 to 29 years	16 years to no upper limit (job seekers)
Duration	6 months to 3 years (typically 1–2 years)	6 to 24 months
Target qualification	CAP, Bac Pro, BTS, Master's	Recognised qualification (RNCP, branch)
Salary (% of min. wage)	27% to 100% by age and year	55% to 100% by age and level
Government grant (year 1)	Up to €6,000	Up to €6,000 (subject to profile)

03 Government grants

Stackable financial incentives to reduce recruitment costs.

Apprenticeship grant — up to €6,000 in year 1 for companies with fewer than 250 employees
Social contribution exemptions (URSSAF) on the apprentice's remuneration
Apprenticeship tax credit of €1,600 per apprentice (conditions apply)
For candidates aged 26+: specific professionalisation contract schemes
Grant for hiring apprentices with disabilities — up to €4,000 additional

Our partnerships team guides you through the application process and cost projections — first consultation free of charge.

04 Available profiles

Apprentices available by field, from CAP to Master's level.

Energy · electrical engineering

CAP Electrician · Bac Pro MELEC

Installation, maintenance, energy retrofitting.

Commercial, industrial, photovoltaic.

IT · digital

Bac Pro CIEL · BTS SIO

Cybersecurity, networking, development, user support, infrastructure.

Sales · commerce

BTS MCO · BTS NDRC

Retail management, field sales, customer relations, store animation.

Finance · administration

BTS CG · BTS GPME

Accounting, SME management, payroll, taxation, human resources.

Hair & beauty

BP Hairdressing · BTS Trades

Hairdressing, beauty, salon management, client advisory.

Master's degrees

Specialised Master's

Finance, banking, management, audit, business development.

Experienced profiles.

05 The 5-step process

From defining the brief to signing the contract.

Define your brief

Role, level, required skills, desired work-study schedule. Our partnerships team helps you formalise the need.

Receive applications

Pre-screened by our academic advisors — 3 to 5 targeted CVs within one week.

Interviews

Interviews at your premises, at the school or via video call. Short trial period possible.

Sign the contract

CFA Enerlab Academy draws up the apprenticeship Cerfa form. OPCO procedures handled jointly.

Support throughout the contract

A school advisor monitors both the apprentice and the workplace mentor. Quarterly check-ins.

06 Frequently asked questions

When should I recruit an apprentice?

The academic year starts in September, but we handle recruitment year-round (deferred start possible until December).

How much does an apprentice cost?

Salary from 27% to 100% of the minimum wage depending on age and contract year. Government grant up to €6,000 in year 1, plus social contribution exemptions.

Can I choose the candidate?

Yes, you select from the CVs we send and conduct the interviews yourself. The hiring decision is entirely yours.

Who handles the paperwork?

CFA Enerlab Academy draws up the Cerfa contract and supports the OPCO procedures. Your only action: sign the contract.

What if the work-study arrangement does not work out?

A statutory 45-day trial period applies in the workplace. An amicable termination is possible afterwards, or a change of direction supported by the school.

Hiring an apprentice means building tomorrow's team.