Afpa
Afpa is France's national public adult vocational training agency (EPIC), operating 126 centers across all 13 French regions. It delivers 900+ certified programs across 250+ trades to job seekers, enterprises, and public employment partners, financed primarily by regional councils and France Travail.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersMontreuil, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Afpa does
Afpa (Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle des adultes) is France's national public adult vocational training agency, operating as an Établissement public à caractère industriel et commercial (EPIC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Montreuil (Tour Cityscope), the organization delivers qualifying and certifying training through a network of 126 training centers spanning all 13 French administrative regions, supplemented by 29 outreach antennas in priority neighborhoods under the 'Agir dans les Quartiers' program. The group's operating structure comprises the EPIC parent, SAS Afpa Entreprises (enterprise-focused subsidiary), and SAS Afpa Accès à l'emploi (employment-access subsidiary). Customers include individual job seekers and career changers (primary segment), enterprises seeking workforce training and alternance recruitment, French regional councils (Conseils Régionaux), France Travail (Pôle Emploi), and a network of prescribers (Missions Locales, Cap Emploi).
The catalogue is organized into six core tracks: 400 'Parcours Diplômants' certification programs leading to Titres professionnels, CCP and CQP certifications, and CléA; 325 'Parcours Métiers' skill-enhancement courses; preparatory pathways; 200+ alternance programs (apprenticeship/professionalization); 180 regulatory-compliance courses; and 100%-remote training modalities. Supporting products include the Magellan digital platform for job/internship matching and follow-up, a virtual classroom ('Classe Virtuelle') for live remote instruction, HD 360° virtual tours of more than 60 workshops, the ELOCCE project-based learning device, and services for Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE). Regulatory authorizations held span CNAPS (private security, 5-year renewable), INRS (scaffolding, chemical risks, occupational health, CATEC), DREAL (road transport), Bureau Veritas (refrigerants), APAVE/VERITAS (welding), ICERT (FEEBAT energy performance), MEDDE examination-center recognition, and ISO 17024:2012 conformity for personnel certification activities.
Afpa's revenue model blends four streams: regional council programming agreements (the principal funder of qualifying training under French public employment policy), CPF mobilization by individual trainees, enterprise intra- and inter-company training contracts (frequently routed through OPCOs such as Afdas, AGEFOS PME, ANFH, Constructys, Uniformation, FORCO), and public funding as an EPIC (France Travail, ministerial programs, plus European Social Fund co-financing and France Relance). Reported 2025 outcomes include an 82.4% training success rate, 67.6% employment access within six months, and 86.4% trainee satisfaction, alongside 4,800+ beneficiaries served by the priority-neighborhood program with a 22% return-to-employment-or-training rate. Among named enterprise clients, Brico Dépôt is documented as recruiting alternance candidates through Afpa.
Afpa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Afpa
- Legal name
- Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle (Afpa EPIC)
- Website
- https://afpa.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Afpa is France's national public adult vocational training agency (EPIC), operating 126 centers across all 13 French regions. It delivers 900+ certified programs across 250+ trades to job seekers, enterprises, and public employment partners, financed primarily by regional councils and France Travail.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Afpa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Vocational Training
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH), Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF), Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption (ABAC) (EDABADAA), Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)
Keywords
Where Afpa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreuil
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Afpa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Regional Council Funding: Most qualifying training courses are financed through regional council (Conseil Régional) programming agreements, as mandated by French public employment policy.
- CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation): Many AFPA trainings are eligible for individual CPF financing, where trainees mobilize accumulated training credits to pay for certification courses.
- Enterprise / Inter-Company Training: AFPA offers businesses intra-company and inter-company training contracts, including regulatory compliance training, skills development, and alternance tutoring — billed to the employer or OPCO.
- Government / Public Employment Funding: AFPA receives public funding as an EPIC (Établissement Public à Caractère Industriel et Commercial) serving the French public employment service, including financing from France Travail (Pôle Emploi) and ministerial programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Afpa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Afpa is France's national public operator for adult vocational training, delivering 900+ qualifying and certifying training programs across 14 sectors and 250+ trades through 126 physical centers and 29 outreach antennas. Offerings include Titre professionnel programs, alternance (apprenticeship) pathways, regulatory compliance training, VAE experience validation, CléA competency certification, and skills assessments, with delivery via face-to-face, blended, and 100% remote modalities. It also operates complementary digital services such as the Magellan accompaniment platform and 360° HD virtual facility tours.
Product overview
Afpa operates as France's national professional training agency (Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle des adultes), offering a comprehensive multi-format training ecosystem. The portfolio centers on six main program types: Diplômants (400 programs for certifications), Préparatoires (6 preparatory programs), Métiers (325 skill-building programs), Alternance (200+ apprenticeship programs), and Réglementaires (180 compliance programs). Digital offerings include 100% remote training, ELOCCE innovative learning devices, Magellan digital pathway platform, and 360° HD virtual facility tours. Supporting services include VAE experience validation, CléA competency certification, and the 'Agir dans les Quartiers' community outreach with 29 satellite locations. The organization operates 126 training centers across 14 sectors throughout France.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Parcours Diplômants Training programs leading to recognized professional certifications including professional titles (Titres professionnels), skills certificates (CCP), industry qualifications (CQP), and CléA certifications. Offers 400 training programs designed to help job seekers and career changers obtain their first diploma or new qualification.
- Parcours Préparatoires Preparatory training programs designed to prepare learners for professional titles with six dedicated formations, providing foundational skills and confidence building prior to sitting the certification exam.
- Parcours Métiers Skills enhancement programs offering 325 training courses for specialization and expertise strengthening, including professional skills and transversal competencies targeting working professionals seeking to deepen specific expertise.
- Parcours Alternance Apprenticeship and work-study programs providing access to over 200 occupations through alternating training between company and training center, including alternance contracts connecting enterprises with apprentices.
- Parcours Règlementaires Compliance-focused training programs including 180 formations for regulatory obligations and certifications, covering health and safety at work requirements such as CACES, asbestos, refrigeration fluids, scaffolding, confined space, and private security training.
- Formations 100% à Distance Fully remote training programs offered entirely online, providing flexibility for learners who cannot attend in-person sessions; supports employed individuals and job seekers across France.
- VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) Experience validation service helping individuals obtain official certifications based on professional and volunteer experience through a structured 10-hour preparation module leading to a Titre professionnel.
- Certification CléA Key competencies certification recognizing foundational professional skills, offering a credential recognized across industries for individuals lacking a first qualification.
- Magellan Digital Platform Digital accompaniment platform integrating training search, enrollment, job offers, internship listings, and online application solutions to support trainees through their pathway and into employment.
- Agir dans les Quartiers Outreach Program Community outreach program operating 29 satellite antennas (antennes de proximité) in priority neighborhoods providing walk-in services, CV help, training orientation, and digital inclusion support to vulnerable populations without appointments; 4,800+ beneficiaries reached.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82.40% training success rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Afpa
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Afpa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Afpa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Conseil Régional Grand EstcoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Grand Est regional programming agreement.
- Conseil Régional Nouvelle-AquitainecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional programming agreement.
- Conseil Régional Auvergne-Rhône-AlpescoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional programming agreement.
- Conseil Régional BretagnecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Bretagne regional programming agreement.
- Conseil Régional Bourgogne-Franche-ComtécoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional programming agreement.
- Conseil Régional Centre-Val de LoirecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Centre-Val de Loire regional programming agreement.
- Collectivité de CorsecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Corse regional programming agreement.
- Région Île-de-FrancecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Île-de-France regional programming agreement.
- Région OccitaniecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Occitanie regional programming agreement.
- Région Hauts-de-FrancecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Hauts-de-France regional programming agreement.
- Région NormandiecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Normandie regional programming agreement.
- Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the PACA regional programming agreement.
- Région Pays de la LoirecoreRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Pays de la Loire regional programming agreement.
- France Travail (Pôle Emploi)corePublic employment service that refers job seekers to AFPA training and co-finances programs. AFPA participates in the broader Service Public de l'Emploi ecosystem alongside France Travail.
- OPCO (Opérateurs de Compétences)majorSkills operators (Opca Défi, Opcalia, Opcalim, etc.) collect and allocate training funds from enterprises. AFPA works with OPCOs to fund and accredit enterprise training programs.
- ActaliansminorProfessional risk prevention fund for the temporary work sector. Partners with AFPA for regulatory training in occupational safety.
- AfdasminorProfessional fund for cultural, communication, and media industries. Co-finances training for employees in these sectors.
- AGEFOS PMEminorProfessional fund for small and medium enterprises. Co-finances training for SME employees.
- ANFHminorNational fund for hospital healthcare staff continuing education. Partners with AFPA for health sector training.
- ConstructysminorSkills operator for the construction and building sector. Co-finances AFPA training in building trades.
- CNFPTminorNational centre for local government function training. May partner with AFPA for cross-sector training for public sector workers.
- UniformationminorInter-industry training fund for the social economy sector. Co-finances training for social economy employees.
- FORCOminorTraining fund for the commerce sector. Co-finances AFPA commercial and retail training.
- FONGECIFminorJoint fund for continuing education in Île-de-France. Supports individual training leave (CIF) for employees.
- Emmaüs ConnectminorDigital inclusion charity providing internet access support at AFPA neighborhood antennas, helping vulnerable individuals access online training tools.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Afpa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Skillsoft: Global incumbent in enterprise digital learning and professional development. Comparable to AFPA's enterprise upskilling and compliance training offerings at the multinational level, though primarily digital and English-language focused.
- Coursera: Global online learning platform offering professional certificates, bootcamps, and degrees. Comparable to AFPA in delivering CPF-eligible and employer-funded professional training programs, particularly for digital and management skills.
- LinkedIn Learning: Global incumbent in professional video-based learning, often embedded in enterprise L&D budgets. Comparable to AFPA's transversal/professional skills offering and competes for the same corporate training wallet, albeit via a digital-first model.
Emerging players
- 360Learning: French-founded enterprise learning platform enabling collaborative upskilling. Comparable as a French-headquartered professional learning company, but focused on SaaS-enabled corporate L&D rather than state-certified vocational training.
- OpenClassrooms: France-based online-first vocational and professional training platform, eligible for CPF financing. Competes directly with AFPA for individual CPF-funded learners, especially in digital and management tracks, but lacks AFPA's physical network and regulatory accreditations.
Regional players
- AFTRAL: France's leading private training provider for transport, logistics, and driving (including FCO, FIMO, permis). Comparable as a French operator with deep regulatory accreditations (DREAL) and a center network; narrower sector focus than AFPA.
Direct peers
- CNAM ( Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers): France's national higher education institution dedicated to continuing professional education. Comparable to AFPA in mission (lifelong vocational training) and in serving CPF-eligible adult learners, but skews toward higher-level technical and managerial diplomas.
- CCI France Formation: Training arm of France's Chambers of Commerce. Directly comparable to AFPA in delivering adult vocational training, alternance, and enterprise upskilling, funded by regional councils and OPCOs across France.
- GRETA (Groupements d'ETAblissements publics): Public network of continuing education units hosted in French lycées. Closest direct peer to AFPA as a publicly funded adult vocational training provider, sharing the same target population (job seekers, employees) and competing for regional council funding.
Others
- AKTO: One of France's largest OPCOs (skills operators), funding enterprise training across multiple sectors. Not a direct training operator but a critical counterparty and channel partner for AFPA's enterprise business.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Afpa social profiles
Digital presenceAfpa compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
Afpa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Afpa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Afpa subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Afpa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Afpa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Afpa
What does Afpa do?
Afpa is France's national public operator for adult vocational training, delivering 900+ qualifying and certifying training programs across 14 sectors and 250+ trades through 126 physical centers and 29 outreach antennas. Offerings include Titre professionnel programs, alternance (apprenticeship) pathways, regulatory compliance training, VAE experience validation, CléA competency certification, and skills assessments, with delivery via face-to-face, blended, and 100% remote modalities. It also operates complementary digital services such as the Magellan accompaniment platform and 360° HD virtual facility tours.
Is Afpa a public or private company?
Afpa is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Afpa founded?
Afpa was founded in 1949. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Afpa based?
Afpa is headquartered in Montreuil, France, in the Europe region.
How does Afpa make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Regional Council Funding is the primary driver. The others are CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), enterprise / Inter-Company Training and government / Public Employment Funding.
Who are Afpa's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Skillsoft, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. Emerging players are 360Learning and OpenClassrooms. AFTRAL is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are CNAM ( Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers), CCI France Formation and GRETA (Groupements d'ETAblissements publics). AKTO is listed as an others.
Does Afpa have an API?
No public API is recorded for Afpa.
What industry is Afpa in?
Afpa's product category is Adult Vocational Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAANAL, Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep, with a secondary code of EDAAALAH, Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.