Professionalisation contract

3 years (varies between 6-12 months, in some cases up to 12-24 months)

Type: wage paid by employer; fixed amount per month
Remuneration setting: as a share of the minimum wage.
Monthly net wages are published by the Ministry of Labour. In each sector trade unions and employers can negotiate higher percentages of the minimum wage.
Coverage: on-the-job training
Variation(s): by the qualification level and the age of the apprentice

Average regulated remuneration: EUR 1,184.21
The figure represents the wage received by an apprentice between 21-26 years old enrolled in ISCED 5 level apprenticeship programme. Calculation: 80% x 1,480.27 (i.e. min wage in 2017)
Level in PPS per year (average): EUR 13,170
Level in PPS per hour (average): not available

Share of national minimum wage: 55-100% of the minimum wage depending on the level of qualification and the age of an apprentice (see below)

Remuneration for age groups, average annual gross income:
Under 21: 55% of the min wage = EUR 814.15 (ISCED 3), 65% of the min wage = EUR 962.17 (ISCED 5)
21-26: 70% of the min wage = EUR 1,036.19 (ISCED 3), 80% of the min wage = EUR 1,184.21 (ISCED 5)
Over 26: min wage: EUR 1,480.27

Less than 20% of the overall duration of apprenticeship
Number of hours: 35 hours per week in the company (as other employees) and at least 150 hours at a training centre (i.e. 15% to 25% of the total duration of the professionnalisation contract).

Paid by: the State (employers are exempted from social insurance taxes in relation to professionalisation contracts)
Rights: health, pension, unemployment, annual leave

No support by the government. Regional councils may provide support for transportation or accommodation. The level of funding varies; it is not regulated by the law.

Public financing (national resources): EUR 1,100,000 (estimate).
The amount paid by companies: EUR 1,675 billion (2015), EUR 1,053 billion (2012)
Estimation corresponds to spending for young people (same scope as apprenticeship contracts).
EU funds might be used (by joint collecting bodies).

Strengths:
- the professionnalisation contract allows young people under 26, people over 45, and job seekers to obtain a certification. Incentives for people over 45 and job seekers should prevent these target groups from entering unemployment.

Weaknesses:
- for young people under 26, professionnalisation contract is less attractive than apprenticeship contracts since the financial resources available to professionalisation contracts are lower.
- for employers, professionnalisation contracts are also less attractive than apprenticeship contracts since tax incentives are lower or even nil. The number of adult professionnalisation contracts (people over 45) is quite low (12% of the new contracts in 2016, Ministry of Labour)
- for young people or for employers, professionnalisation contracts may be seen as competing with the apprenticeship contract; nonetheless they fall under different financing schemes.

Statutory minimum wage: EUR 1,466.62 (2016, S2); 1,480.27 (2017, S1 and S2)
Average yearly working time (hours) for a full time job: 1,616.20