France to Expand First Job Search Program Nationwide
Let's talk about France Travail's Avenir Pro expansion to all professional high schools
By Chuck Jones Writer & Economist, focusing on employment, education, and social policies Published on
With an eye on addressing the staggering youth unemployment rate, France Travail is expanding its Avenir Pro program nationwide. This aggressive move comes after data from 2025 showed a whopping 563,000 unemployed individuals under 25, accounting for approximately 17.6% of the total job seekers in France.
According to Charlotte Rousset, journalist specializing in employment and social law, the trend of high youth unemployment is not a new one, with young people driving the rise in unemployment since the end of 2024. To combat this, France Travail has decided to revamp its efforts to support jobless youth.
In the upcoming academic year, the Avenir Pro program, which had been in stealth mode since its quiet debut in 2021 in around 600 professional high schools, is set to expand its reach to the remaining 2,200 schools across France. This inclusive strategy encompasses not just traditional students, but also those pursuing apprenticeships and other work-study programs.
Changing the face of employment engagement
Previously, France Travail's involvement had been limited to assisting job seekers once they had joined the ranks of the unemployed. However, the Full Employment Act has begun a shift in approach from reacting to unemployment to addressing it upstream. This paradigm shift is the driving force behind the Avenir Pro program's evolution.
In practice, this means all final-year Bac pro or CAP students will now receive support from trained France Travail agents. This backing includes assistance with CV writing, interview preparations, and exploring local recruitment needs, as well as meetings with local employers through job dating events.
According to Hélène Noblecourt, director of the youth insertion mobilization pole at the former Pôle emploi, these measures aim to "facilitate relationships" between students and employers, counteracting the common perception among young people that employers are an unreachable and unapproachable group.
Making a tangible difference
Initial outcomes have shown promise: while only 16% of Bac pro graduates found employment after completing their education, that number has risen to 23% for those from schools that have experimented with Avenir Pro. However, these figures only represent a modest improvement and underscore the need for the nationwide expansion of the program.
Demurring on the impression that France Travail programs are exclusive to students currently in school, Noblecourt suggests that additional support options, like the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ), are available for those lacking training and employment. The CEJ, which replaced the Youth Guarantee in March 2022, offers mutual commitment between France Travail advisors and young people, with the advisor promising intensive support for six months in exchange for the young person's participation in workshops, training, or internships.
Another significant advantage of the program is a monthly allowance of up to €561.68, based on individual profiles. Noblecourt emphasizes that this financial support frees young people to focus on job hunting without the burden of immediate financial concerns. Further evidence of the program's impact can be seen in the fact that half of CEJ beneficiaries secure stable employment six months after the end of their engagement contract.
In conclusion, the rollout of the Avenir Pro program to all professional high schools nationwide signifies France Travail's commitment to addressing unemployment among young people. As with all change, the true impact of this initiative will take time to materialize, but the potential for improved employability, economic growth, and social benefits is undeniable.
- To combat high youth unemployment rates in France, France Travail is broadening its Avenir Pro program to cover all professional high schools, reaching over 2,200 schools across the nation.
- The education-and-self-development initiative, Avenir Pro, provides support for jobless youth in their final years of study, offering assistance with career-development activities like CV writing, interview preparation, and job-search strategies.
- In line with the Full Employment Act, Avenir Pro places a focus on upstream support, shifting from a reactive approach to unemployment to a proactive one in order to address the issue head-on.
- Personal-finance support, such as a monthly allowance of up to €561.68, is given through the Youth Engagement Contract (CEJ) within the Avenir Pro program, allowing young people to focus on job-search activities without being burdened by immediate financial concerns.
- Skills-training opportunities, like workshops and internships, are also part of the CEJ within the Avenir Pro program, aiming to facilitate relationships between students and employers and counteract the common perception among young people that employers are unapproachable.
- By addressing unemployment issues upstream, the Avenir Pro program holds the potential for improved employability, economic growth, and overall social benefits, demonstrating France Travail's dedication to helping young people achieve personal-growth and greater success in their careers.
