Afpa

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.

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

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

• Adult vocational training
• Professional certification programs
• Alternance apprenticeship programs
• Regulatory compliance training
• Skills assessment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Regional Council Funding: Most qualifying training courses are financed through regional council (Conseil Régional) programming agreements, as mandated by French public employment policy.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Conseil Régional Grand EstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Grand Est regional programming agreement.
• Conseil Régional Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional programming agreement.
• Conseil Régional Auvergne-Rhône-AlpescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional programming agreement.
• Conseil Régional BretagnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Bretagne regional programming agreement.
• Conseil Régional Bourgogne-Franche-ComtécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional programming agreement.
• Conseil Régional Centre-Val de LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Centre-Val de Loire regional programming agreement.
• Collectivité de CorsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Corse regional programming agreement.
• Région Île-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Île-de-France regional programming agreement.
• Région OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Occitanie regional programming agreement.
• Région Hauts-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Hauts-de-France regional programming agreement.
• Région NormandiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Normandie regional programming agreement.
• Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the PACA regional programming agreement.
• Région Pays de la LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council co-finances qualifying training places for unemployed residents under the Pays de la Loire regional programming agreement.
• France Travail (Pôle Emploi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic 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)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkills operators (Opca Défi, Opcalia, Opcalim, etc.) collect and allocate training funds from enterprises. AFPA works with OPCOs to fund and accredit enterprise training programs.
• ActaliansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional risk prevention fund for the temporary work sector. Partners with AFPA for regulatory training in occupational safety.
• AfdasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional fund for cultural, communication, and media industries. Co-finances training for employees in these sectors.
• AGEFOS PMEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional fund for small and medium enterprises. Co-finances training for SME employees.
• ANFHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational fund for hospital healthcare staff continuing education. Partners with AFPA for health sector training.
• ConstructysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkills operator for the construction and building sector. Co-finances AFPA training in building trades.
• CNFPTminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational centre for local government function training. May partner with AFPA for cross-sector training for public sector workers.
• UniformationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInter-industry training fund for the social economy sector. Co-finances training for social economy employees.
• FORCOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining fund for the commerce sector. Co-finances AFPA commercial and retail training.
• FONGECIFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint fund for continuing education in Île-de-France. Supports individual training leave (CIF) for employees.
• Emmaüs ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital 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

Broad 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

• Xtwitter.com/afpa_formation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AfpaWebTv
• Facebookfacebook.com/AFPA.France
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afpa
• Instagraminstagram.com/afpa_formation
• TikToktiktok.com/@afpa_formation

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Afpa