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563 000. It is the number of young people under 25 who point to unemployment in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest figures from France work. In other words, 17.6% of the 3.2 million job seekers in category A – these people without any activity, available immediately, and active job research. A statistic which confirms a trend already found at the end of 2024, when young people were already the main engines of unemployment increase.
To try to brake the hemorrhage, France Work has decided to build its game in the support of these unemployed young people. As of the next school year, the program Pro futurediscreetly experienced since 2021 in some 600 vocational high schools, will move up a gear. Initially reserved for students who do not wish to continue their studies, it will soon be generalized to all 2,200 pros high schools in France. Including for those who target apprenticeship or work -study prosecution. Objective displayed: “Avoid young people find themselves on the side of the road as soon as the school leaves”summarizes Hélène Noblecourt, director of the mobilization pole for the integration of young people at the ex-Pôle Emploi.
Break the image of “The unattainable employer”
Because for a long time, France Work intervened only at the end of the chainwhen the young, freshly graduated, came to grow the ranks of unemployment. But with the law for full employment, the method changes: it is now «to act upstream»explains Hélène Noblecourt. This is all the challenge of the generalization of the Provary Pro program. Now, all students in the last year of Bac Pro or CAP will be concerned.
Unemployment: the youth employment rate fell back in 2024
Concretely, French agents duly trained work will intervene in class to support students: aid to the CV writinginterview simulations, discovery of Recruitment needs of the territory … and above all, Meetings with employers local, via JOB DATINGSto promote the first professional contacts. Because “The young people we support often have no network or experience. And for many, an employer is an unattainable figure, inaccessiblenotes Hélène Noblecourt. The idea is therefore to facilitate this relationship.»
And on paper, it works: while barely 16% of young people found a job after their professional baccalaureate, there are now 23% to sign a contract at the end of a high school having experienced future pro. A still modest figure, Hélène Noblecourt recognizes it: “It is certain that it is not enough, and that is why we generalize experience on a national scale”she nuances, while specifying that the device has improved the insertion of these young people by 45%. Also remember that this evaluation dates from the very beginning of the experiment, three years ago.
CEJ for young people who are most distant from employment
Does that mean that France work programs are only reserved for young people in studies? Not necessarily. Since the law for full employment and «With the help of local missionsif a student has no training or employment, he is oriented towards suitable support ”says the director of youth integration programs. For these audiences, a “Privileged follow -up”which goes for example through the Young engagement contract (CEJ). This system, which has taken over from the youth guarantee since March 2022, aims at the public most distant from employment. Its principle is based on a mutual commitment: the France Labor advisor undertakes to support the young person intensively for six months. In exchange, the beneficiary must play the game, by participating in the workshops, training or internships defined with his referent.
Salary: How much will you earn after your alternation, according to your profile?
Another significant force of the device: a monthly allowance up to 561,68 eurosaccording to profiles. “When you raise the financial brake, it facilitates support and frees the mind of the young person, to allow them to be in a real job search process”appreciates Hélène Noblecourt. For proof: Half of the CEJ beneficiaries Get a stable job six months after the end of their commitment contract. But to hope for comparable results among pros’ high school students, it will take two years, the time that the effects of the generalization of the pro future can be evaluated.
