Professional retraining in France, long seen as a rare approach, is now becoming a normal step in the career path of French workers. According to an IFOP survey, 86% of assets declare having already changed profession, sector, company or status. Even more, 80% now consider retraining as a natural phase in their professional life.
A trend driven by the transformation of work
This development takes place in a context where the world of work is changing very quickly. New technologies, digitalization, ecological transition and the quest for meaning are redefining professions and aspirations. The health crisis also played an accelerator role, encouraging many employees to rethink their priorities, their life balance and the meaning of their work.
Today, retraining is no longer synonymous with failure or rupture, but with the ability toadaptation and strength in the face of change. This approach shows the desire of many active people to regain control of their journey and find work that aligns with their values.
Strong aspirations but very real obstacles
Even if retraining is increasingly attractive, it often remains difficult. A study carried out by Emmanuel de Lescure, Nicolas Divert and Fabienne Maillard reveals that, among 32 workers who received training in coding, only 7 succeeded in launching an entrepreneurial activity.
This figure highlights an often forgotten reality: reconversion cannot be improvised. Lack of money, absence of network, fear of failure or even lack of information on available aid block many projects. Added to this are family constraints, which further complicate change for people already in position.
Continuing training: an essential lever for success
There fContinuing education is an essential means for a successful professional transition. It allows you to acquire technical skills, but also behavioral skills: learning to learn, adapting, managing change. Devices such as the Personal Training Account (CPF)THE Pro Transitions or even the certification training play a key role in this dynamic.
But access to training remains unequal. Precarious workers, the self-employed or people on low incomes still benefit too little. Better information on existing systems and a simplification of procedures are necessary to make professional retraining in France accessible to all.
Towards a new culture of professional mobility
Successfully retraining is not just an individual effort; it is also a question of ecosystem. Companies can encourage internal mobility and skills development, while public institutions must strengthen their support systems.
Changing lanes should be seen as a opportunity to develop new skillsand not as a break in the course. By adopting a culture of flexibility, society as a whole can benefit from these transitions: reduced structural unemployment, better matching between job supply and demand, and greater job satisfaction.
