The idea of preparing for your degree through a work-study program is attracting more and more students. If you're motivated, you'll see many benefits, especially if you enjoy working independently. It's an excellent opportunity to mature. At the same time, you can benefit from closer supervision, whether in the workplace or at school. Of course, you must be prepared to take on a heavier workload. More and more opportunities are available to you if you choose this path.
A first professional experience
Work-study programs allow you to combine theoretical courses with paid work in a company. As its name suggests, it involves alternating periods of training with periods in a host company, periods that can be counted in days or weeks. In addition to providing a good dose of experience, it helps reduce the cost of studies. Approximately 500 professions are now open to work-study programs. Work-study programs are accessible from the age of 15. You should already have a good idea of the profession you intend to pursue. With work-study status, you obtain the status of an employee, not a student. Your rights and obligations are therefore equivalent to those of an employee. Your training can last from one to three years. An apprentice training center (CFA) takes care of the training, which will be supervised by an apprenticeship master.
An advantageous alternation
Work-study programs are an excellent way to reduce the cost of their studies. Students from more modest backgrounds see them, among other things, as a chance to advance their social standing. It's also a way to gain valuable professional experience while being subject to labor law, unlike internships, where students only have an internship agreement. Work-study contracts often lead to a permanent contract at the end of their studies. Unlike internships, which are fairly limited in time, work-study programs allow you to work on long-term projects. The government, the region, and the company handle the funding.
Find a work-study company
After being accepted into a work-study program, you still need to convince the target company to accept you. Since you'll be in the same situation as an employee, you should approach the target company in the same way as any future traditional employee. You should start the process early, knowing that the most in-demand training programs are already full in July. Starting in March, it would be a good idea to identify the company that interests you and begin the process of applying. As with any job search, it's recommended to carefully prepare your CV and share it on all online platforms and job sites. A cover letter is also essential to showcase your qualities and make known what you can bring to the company. Online, some sites, such as https://www.alternance.fr/ , offer an overview of relevant companies by region and city. The number of offers has been growing rapidly in recent years.
