CléA is the first national, inter-professional certificate attesting to proficiency in basic knowledge and vocational skills. Since its operational launch in November 2015, it has been in high demand among people with few or no qualifications who are looking to have their basic knowledge and skills validated.
CléA certification programme
CléA is developed around a common core of basic knowledge and skills that an individual, whatever their profession or sector of activity, must master to support employability and access vocational training. This common core is divided into seven areas (further broken down into 28 sub-areas and evaluated according to 108 assessment criteria):
- ability to communicate in French;
- ability to use basic rules of calculation and mathematical reasoning;
- mastery of common digital information and communication techniques;
- ability to work as part of a group with clearly defined rules;
- capacity to work independently and to reach an individual objective;
- ability to acquire lifelong learning skills;
- good physical demeanour and ability to follow elementary hygiene, safety and environmental rules.
The name CléA was chosen to avoid confusion with the Ministry of National Education’s ‘common base of knowledge and skills’ (socle commun de connaissances et de compétences) national scheme which sets out seven basic skills that pupils must have acquired by the end of compulsory education.
Created and deployed by the social partners
The decision to create the CléA certificate was taken by the social partners and followed two national inter-professional agreements (ANI 2009 and 2013). The State entrusted the social partners, via the National Inter-professional Committee for Employment and Training (Copanef), with the responsibility for preparing a framework of reference standards and drawing up a detailed programme of content. Roll-out actions include a communication campaign targeting the public and actors in the vocational training sector and a dedicated website.
A series of training organisations were authorised to carry out assessments and/or training, once they had agreed to follow the specifications and the skills and certification programmes that had been laid down.
Leading funded certification in CPF training
Since 2015, employees and jobseekers are entitled to a personal training account (Compte Personnel de Formation, CPF), which they can use to access and finance training: up to 24 hours per year full-time up to a limit of 120 hours, and thereafter 12 hours per year, with a ceiling of 150 hours.
CléA has been the number one certification chosen by jobseekers and employees, and paid for through their CPFs. At the end of November 2016, more than 48 300 jobseekers (11% of training actions financed through CPF) and 2 200 employees received the CléA certification (1% training actions financed through CPF).
Used in the fight against illiteracy
Lifelong learning stakeholders and practitioners adapt the CléA certificate by linking it to other schemes, especially those aimed at people with few, if any, qualifications. Examples are the work undertaken by the National Anti-Illiteracy Agency (ANLCI) and the policy initiatives of the regions aimed at reducing illiteracy.
More information:
https://www.certificat-clea.fr/
http://blog.certificat-clea.fr/
http://www.moncompteformation.gouv.fr/en-bref/chiffres-cles
https://www.certificat-clea.fr/pdf/COPANEF_DP Certificat CLEA_Janv16.pdf