France: New digital tool supports VET programme planning

ORION is a new digital service to improve the planning of initial VET programmes across regions. The tool is part of the government’s long-term strategy to modernise school-based VET, strengthen links with economic sectors to ensure territorial coherence in programme development, and support the country’s re-industrialisation and green transition.

The tool is currently being rolled out by the Ministry of National Education in collaboration with regional authorities and local academic services in the territories. Orion aims to offer a shared space for evidence-based decision-making to align VET provision with labour market needs. By promoting greater coordination between academic authorities, regional councils, companies and other local actors involved in VET governance, it seeks to ensure a balance between national coherence and regional priorities.

Data-driven approach

The tool provides a shared, data-based framework for analysing supply and demand in VET programmes. It centralises demographic, employment and training indicators to anticipate future qualification needs and guide decisions on opening, closing or adapting VET programmes.

Orion supports national and regional stakeholders in shaping the map of initial VET provision (qualifications at EQF levels 3 to 5). It integrates data from public sources, such as employment projections, sectoral analyses, regional development strategies and student pathways. It produces dashboards and simulations to support decision-making and keep VET programmes aligned with economic and territorial priorities.

Regional implementation

The academy of Lille illustrates the scale of adjustments. Over two years, 17.5% of VET places have already been transformed, as part of the objective to revise 25% of training places over four years. In 2024, 7.6% of the regional VET offer was revised and 9.9% in 2025. This includes opening and closing programmes, adjusting capacities and introducing programme refinements (colorations de diplômes professionnels) to make the existing VET offer more profession-oriented.

Since 2023, the academy has opened 11 500 places, closed 7 000 and adapted 10 000 VET diplomas. These changes respond to labour market needs in sectors linked to industrial production, ecological transition and technical maintenance. Early indicators show a positive trend: enrolment rates in industrial programmes reached 78% in 2025, three percentage points higher than the previous year.

Collaboration with companies is key to these developments. Enterprises are consulted on sectoral skills needs and contribute to programme adjustments. They may also provide equipment, host learners for practical training or co-develop specialised training pathways. Examples include sectoral partnerships in the automotive, energy and nuclear industries. At local level, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also involved through tailored specialisations designed to meet territorial needs.

Governance and cooperation

Academic authorities examine proposals from VET schools, supported by inspection bodies and regional services, while regional councils participate in planning and financing training equipment. Local employment committees, bringing together companies, social partners and public services, assess local needs and ensure close proximity to economic realities.

An example of cooperation is the multiannual plan (2025–2028) led by the Regional Academic Authority Secretariat (Secrétariat général de la région académique, SGRA) and the Île-de-France Regional Authority (Région Île-de-France, RIF). Using Orion as the single platform, establishments submitted projects by June 2025, with priorities for 2026 including short courses such as specialisation certificates (certificats de spécialisation, CS) and local complementary training courses (formations complémentaires d’initiative locale, FCIL).

The success of the tool depends on uptake by all VET stakeholders and is expected to further strengthen planning and collaboration as reforms progress.

Read more:

• Rapport sur l’Évolution de la carte des formations professionnelles de niveaux 3 à 5 [Report on the evolution of levels 3 to 5 VET programme map] 
• Courrier SGRA sur l’évolution de la carte des formations professionnelles [Letter on the revision of the VET programme map] 
• Ministère de l’Éducation nationale. (2025, December 18). Mise en œuvre de la coloration des spécialités de diplômes professionnels [Bulletin officiel, n° 48, MENE2533608C]. Bulletin officiel de l’éducation nationale, de la jeunesse et des sports. [Implementation of sector-specific adaptations of IVET qualifications]