National qualifications framework

The framework was redefined on 9 January 2019 (by a decree supplemented by an order) to comply with the European qualifications framework. From 1 January 2020, the nomenclature is replaced by a nomenclature referring to eight levels based on the knowledge and skills acquired, from level 1 (basic knowledge) to level 8 (doctoral studies).

The measures is operational and runs as regular practice.

The new NQF has been referenced to the European Qualifications Framework and self-certified its compatibility with the qualifications frameworks in the European higher education area (QF-EHEA) in February 2021.

Through its mission of establishing the national register of professional certifications (RNCP) and the specific register of certifications and accreditations (RS), France Compétences must guarantee the quality and relevance of qualifications listed in the two national registers. It has established and published doctrine briefs, a practical guide and participated in various webinars.

The certification commission established within France Compétences, has processed nearly 2 100 requests for inclusion of certifications in the national registers, within a processing time (investigation and then admissibility review) average of 7 months in total.

The quality requirements associated with the reform have resulted in an average acceptance rate to the RNCP of 62% (77% for cases being renewed) and 18% to the specific directory. The RNCP contains 4 882 active certifications compared to more than 10 000 before the reform.

The process of revising vocational qualifications, certificates and degrees developed by the Ministries, has been launched. Currently, these qualifications are legally registered (enregistrement de droit) in the National Register of Vocational Qualifications (Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles, RNCP), after receiving the assent of the inter-ministerial advisory committees.

The national agency France Compétences has distributed a handbook that provides comprehensive information on the registration process of vocational qualifications, the structuring of competency blocks, and the delivery of qualifications.

Regarding current trends in VET related jobs, the Vocational Qualifications Commission of France Compétences has drawn up a list of 23 professions that are either emerging or experiencing rapid development in 2023. Vocational qualifications relating to these occupations are eligible for a special registration procedure to be included in the RNCP, in order to ensure a swift response to the evolving needs of the labour market. Among the professions included in the list, seven are newly added, while a portion of the professions from the respective 2022 list have been retained.

France Compétences has set up an online tutorial space devoted to vocational qualifications.

As part of its administration of the personal training account (Compte personnel de formation, CPF) system, and in connection with its monitoring of the requirement for listed training courses to lead to a qualification, the Deposit and Consignment Office (Caisse des dépôts et consignation) has set up an online space specifically for the bodies responsible for issuing the various diplomas and the relevant vocational qualifications.

A private training provider has taken the initiative to launch a new search engine, Certifspros+, which allows users to search for a professional qualification or certification before being presented with the corresponding training programmes leading to this qualification/certification. The fact that the search engine prioritises qualifications over training programmes reflects a shift towards certification as a core component in securing professional pathways.

Users can click on a certification block to access the corresponding detailed records of the RNCP or RS qualifications listed in the national registers available online by France Compétences, job and employment records (ROME) provided by the Operational Directory of Trades and Jobs of the national public employment service (PES), and the Formacode index on training resources hosted by the Centre Inffo, the information centre on continuing training under the labour ministry.

The Certifspros+ search engine for each qualification provides information on access routes (either initial education programmes, adult education/continuing training schemes, apprenticeships or validation processes) as well as lists of certified training providers authorised to offer training programmes to acquire the targeted qualification.