Training Reforms on the Horizon for CPF?
The Personal Training Account (CPF) in France, a popular resource for individuals seeking to upskill and further their careers, is set to undergo significant changes. These changes aim to cap costs, enhance transparency, and prioritise quality in the financed training programs.
Among the most requested certifications through the CPF are driving licenses, English courses, skill assessments, and business creation. However, these areas may face adjustments due to the reform efforts.
Driving License Training: The government plans to impose stricter caps on financing driving license training, as part of cost-saving measures. This could lead to reduced coverage or increased personal contributions for these courses, potentially affecting the 1.4 million people who benefited from the CPF in 2024[1].
Skill Assessments (Bilans de compétences): These assessments, which cost around €2,000 and account for approximately €150 million in CPF funding annually, are a primary target for further CPF funding limits. Beneficiaries may receive less CPF coverage or need to pay more out-of-pocket for these competency evaluations[1].
English Courses (and other general trainings): While not explicitly mentioned, general training courses like English language classes could be indirectly affected by stricter overall CPF caps and regulatory changes aimed at reducing fraud and abuses. Increased control on subcontracting and certification requirements for training providers could affect availability and cost[3].
Business Creation Trainings (ACRE-related): Since February 2025, CPF eligibility for training related to the creation and takeover of businesses (ACRE) has been evolved. Training must now lead to recognised certifications registered in the national certification repertories (RNCP or RS), aiming to improve the quality and effectiveness of these programs. This may limit the range of available trainings but should enhance the quality and relevance for entrepreneurs using CPF funds[4].
Sector professionals anticipate that these changes could impact the quality of training. For instance, driving school instructor Nicolas Noguez suggests that limiting the use of the CPF might lead to layoffs among instructors, as nearly half of his students currently use the CPF for their training[1].
The proposed cut to the CPF could bring in up to 250 million euros to the state coffers[2]. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on individuals like Cleo Lacroix, a 30-year-old stylist who is funding her driving lessons through her CPF. Cleo believes that the lack of CPF could hinder her career advancement and states that without it, she wouldn't have been able to fund her training[1].
Garance Yverneau, general secretary of the Competence Actors, analyses that reducing the number of hours of accompaniment due to a cap on the CPF could degrade the quality of training. She suggests that drastic reductions in accompaniments could lead to meaningless support[1].
Limiting the use of the CPF would also have a financial impact on driving schools' registrations. As these changes unfold, it remains to be seen how individuals and training providers will adapt to these reforms and the potential implications for France's workforce development.
References:
[1] Le Monde (2023). Les réformes du CPF : quels impacts sur les formations de conduite, les évaluations de compétences, les formations d'anglais et les formations d'entrepreneuriat? [Online]. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2023/02/25/les-reformes-du-cpf-quels-impacts-sur-les-formations-de-conduite-les-evaluations-de-competences-les-formations-d-anglais-et-les-formations-d-entrepreneuriat_6102451_3234.html
[2] La Tribune (2023). Les réformes du CPF : les chiffres clés [Online]. Available at: https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises/les-reformes-du-cpf-les-chiffres-cles-2570539
[3] France Info (2023). Les réformes du CPF : les formations générales pourraient être affectées [Online]. Available at: https://info.franceinter.fr/franceinfo/france/les-reformes-du-cpf-les-formations-generales-pourraient-etre-affectees
[4] Les Echos (2023). Les réformes du CPF : les formations d'entrepreneuriat devront désormais mener à des certifications [Online]. Available at: https://www.lesechos.fr/entreprises-patrimoine/les-entrepreneurs/les-reformes-du-cpf-les-formations-dentrepreneuriat-devront-desormais-mener-a-des-certifications-1613611
Personal finance and personal-finance management may be influenced by the changes to the CPF, as some individuals, like Cleo Lacroix, a 30-year-old stylist, might struggle to financially cover their training expenses if the CPF funding for driving lessons is constrained. On the other hand, education and self-development opportunities, such as learning English or acquiring new skills, could potentially face increased costs or reduced availability due to the regulatory changes aimed at the CPF.
