CFAI Center

What CFAI Center does

CFAI Centre (Pôle Formation UIMM / CFAI Centre-Val de Loire) is a private vocational training organization operating as a Centre de Formation d'Apprentis (CFA) in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, with 51-100 employees serving approximately 880 apprentices from CAP (Level 3) through engineering degree (BAC+5) levels. The organization is the regional industrial apprenticeship arm of UIMM (Union des Industries & des Métiers de la Métallurgie), the dominant French metallurgy employers' federation, and operates six physical training centers across all five departments of the region (Amboise, Blois, Bourges, Châteaudun, Déols/Châteauroux, and La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin/Orléans). Its training portfolio spans seven program families: chaudronnerie-soudage (boilermaking-welding), usinage (machining), maintenance industrielle, électrotechnique-informatique industrielle, automatismes-robotique, organisation industrielle, and process de production, with credentials including CAP, BAC PRO, Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie (TPM), BTS, Bachelor, Licence Professionnelle, and engineering degrees delivered in partnership with Polytech Tours, Polytech Orléans, ITII Centre-Val de Loire, and CNAM.

The center's core technology consists of high-tech training platforms (plateaux techniques) equipped with CNC machines, robotic cells, automated production lines, and welding stations, supplemented by VR-based immersive experiences (Mission Exosquelette, Vivez l'Industrie 4.0) and digital orientation tools (L'Odyssee de l'industrie, digital escape games) for career discovery. Learner progress is tracked through the YPAREO platform with digital apprenticeship logbooks. The business model is government-subsidized apprenticeship: companies hire apprentices and pay a regulated percentage of SMIC; training costs are funded through the apprenticeship tax collected by Opco (skills operators), with the center holding Qualiopi certification. Ancillary revenue comes from continuing education streams (CPF, contrats de professionnalisation, company training plans) and professionalization contracts for employed adults and job seekers. Customer acquisition is driven by dedicated Chargés de sourcing (CEF) per department, who run job-dating events, school visits, and employer outreach, and the organization has a track record of national and European competition success (WorldSkills, Euroskills, Olympiades Fanuc, Meilleur Apprenti de France) that reinforces employer and apprentice demand.

Name

CFAI Center

Legal name

Pôle formation UIMM / CFAI Centre-Val de Loire

Website

https://cfai-centre.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CFAI Centre is a French vocational training organization (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis) operating six sites across the Centre-Val de Loire region under the UIMM metallurgy employers' network, training approximately 880 apprentices from CAP to engineering degree in industrial trades including welding, machining, robotics, automation, and maintenance via government-subsidized apprenticeship contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Apprenticeship and Vocational Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABALAI

Education & Training Providers

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Industry-Specific Professional Training (e.g., Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction)

SECONDARYEDANAIAM

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

SECONDARYEDAOADAH

CNC Plasma/Laser Cutting & Automated Fabrication Training

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Welding, Metalwork & Fabrication

SECONDARYEDANAIAE

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

SECONDARYEDAAALAM

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

Keywords

• Industrial apprenticeship training
• Vocational education programs
• Industrial trades training
• Engineering degree programs
• Welding and machining training

Headquarters

HQ city

La Chapelle-saint-mesmin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship contracts (Alternance): The core revenue model is government-subsidized apprenticeship. Companies hiring apprentices pay contracted wages (a percentage of SMIC based on age and year of study). Training is funded through the apprenticeship tax (contribution patronale) collected by Opco (operators' skills fund). Learners pay no tuition fees and receive a salary. The center is fully funded through this mechanism with government top-up for training costs.
2. Continuing education and professional development: CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), CPF de transition, professionalization contracts (contrats de professionnalisation), company training plans (plan de formation), and professionalization periods for employed adults seeking upskilling. Revenue flows through Opco funding, employer direct payment, or individual CPF accounts.
3. Professionalization contracts: Contrat de professionnalisation for job seekers and employees aged 26+ or under 26 completing initial training, providing qualifications such as CQPM/CQPI and professional titles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CFAI Centre (Pôle Formation UIMM / CFAI Centre-Val de Loire) is an industrial apprenticeship and vocational training center delivering programs from CAP (Level 3) through engineering degrees (BAC+5) across seven industrial disciplines: chaudronnerie-soudage, usinage, maintenance industrielle, électrotechnique, automatismes-robotique, organisation industrielle, and process de production. Training is delivered through a dual apprenticeship model combining company-based work and center-based instruction across six regional sites, serving approximately 880 apprentices annually with UIMM-certified (Titre Paritaire) diplomas.

Product overview

CFAI Centre (Pôle Formation UIMM/CFAI Centre-Val de Loire) is an apprenticeship and vocational training institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial trade programs. The institution operates as a unified training platform providing courses from CAP (Level 3) through to Engineering degrees (BAC+5), organized across seven major program families: Chaudronnerie-Soudage (Boilermaking-Welding), Usinage-Productique (Machining), Maintenance Industrielle (Industrial Maintenance), Électrotechnique-Informatique Industrielle (Electrical-Industrial IT), Automatismes-Robotique (Automation-Robotics), Organisation Industrielle (Industrial Organization), and Process de Production (Production Processes). Programs include vocational baccalaureates (BAC PRO), BTS higher diplomas, professional bachelor degrees, Licence Professionnelle degrees, and engineering degrees delivered in partnership with universities (Polytech Tours, Polytech Orléans, CNAM, ITII). The institution delivers training across six regional centers (Amboise, Blois, Bourges, Châteaudun, Déols/Châteauroux, La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin/Orléans) using a dual apprenticeship model combining company-based and center-based training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAP RICS - Réalisations Industrielles en Chaudronnerie et Soudage Level 3 vocational diploma (CAP) in Industrial Manufacturing and Welding with options in chaudronnerie (plate work) and soudage (welding). RNCP Code: 38568. For young people aged 15-29 seeking entry-level industrial qualifications.
• BAC PRO TCI - Technicien en Chaudronnerie Industrielle Level 4 vocational baccalaureate in Industrial Boilermaking. RNCP Code: 38337. Prepares specialists in boilermaking, sheet metal work, industrial piping, and metal structures.
• BAC PRO TRPM - Technicien en Réalisation de Produits Mécaniques Level 4 vocational baccalaureate in Mechanical Product Manufacturing with options RMO and RSP. RNCP Code: 41015.
• BAC PRO MSPC - Maintenance des Systèmes de Production Connectés Level 4 vocational baccalaureate in Maintenance of Connected Production Systems. RNCP Code: 35698. Trains polyvalent maintenance professionals across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• BAC PRO MELEC - Métiers de l'Électricité et de ses Environnements Connectés Level 4 vocational baccalaureate in Electrical Trades and Connected Environments. RNCP Code: 38878. Focuses on preparation, execution, commissioning, and maintenance of electrical equipment.
• BAC PRO PLP - Pilote de Ligne de Production Level 4 vocational baccalaureate in Production Line Piloting. RNCP Code: 36428. Trains technicians to prepare production, adjust settings, manage quality, and perform first-level maintenance on automated lines.
• BTS CRSA - Conception et Réalisation de Systèmes Automatiques Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Design and Production of Automatic Systems. Trains industrial automation technicians qualified to design, produce, commission, maintain, and improve performance of robotic and special machine systems.
• BTS CRCI - Conception et Réalisation en Chaudronnerie Industrielle Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Design and Production in Industrial Boilermaking. Trains specialists in executing assembly plans, organizing fabrication, and supervising installation.
• BTS CPRP - Conception des Processus de Réalisation de Produits Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Product Manufacturing Process Design. Trains specialists in mechanical production processes including machining and additive manufacturing.
• BTS CPI - Conception des Produits Industriels Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Industrial Product Design. Trains study office technicians in designing, improving, and redesigning industrial products.
• BTS MS - Maintenance des Systèmes Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Systems Maintenance. Trains maintenance specialists with technological, organizational, and relational skills.
• BTS Électrotechnique Two-year higher education diploma (BTS) in Electrical Engineering. Trains professionals in manufacturing, study, planning, supervision, and maintenance of electrical equipment.
• Bachelor Systèmes réseaux et cybersécurité Level 6 Bachelor degree in Systems, Networks, and Cybersecurity. RNCP Code: 39851. Trains systems and networks administrators to manage IT infrastructure in connected environments.
• Bachelor Chargé d'affaires industrie Level 6 Bachelor degree in Business Manager for Industry. RNCP Code: 36288. Prepares professionals to manage unit activities, teams, and projects with strategy deployment.
• TPM Chargé d'Intégration en Robotique Industrielle TPM (Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie) Bachelor's level degree in Industrial Robotics Integration (BAC+3). Trains professionals in design, analysis, optimization, and command of robotic systems.
• TPM Pilote de systèmes de production automatisée TPM (Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie) in Automated Production Systems Piloting. RNCP Code: 39375. Trains professionals to commission installations, manage production flows, quality, and proper functioning.
• TPM Technicien d'usinage sur machines-outils à commande numérique (MOCN) TPM (Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie) in CNC Machine Tool Operation. RNCP Code: 38622. Trains professionals to set up and operate CNC machining machine tools.
• TPM Soudeur industriel TPM (Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie) in Industrial Welding (Level 3 CAP/BEP). RNCP Code: 39243. Trains professionals to perform welding operations on pre-assembled metal elements.
• TPM Chaudronnier d'atelier TPM (Titre Paritaire de la Métallurgie) in Workshop Boilermaking. RNCP Code: 38790. Level 3 diploma for workshop boilermakers working on unit or small series production.
• TPFP Technicien de Maintenance Industrielle TPFP (Titre Paritaire à Finalité Professionnelle) in Industrial Maintenance Technology. RNCP Code: 39210. Level 4 diploma for preventive and corrective maintenance of industrial equipment.
• Ingénieur Électronique et génie électrique
• Ingénieur Management de la production Five-year engineering degree in Production Management, in partnership with University of Orléans via Polytech Orléans. Trains engineers to optimize production lines from raw material supply to distribution logistics.
• Ingénieur Mécanique et matériaux Five-year engineering degree in Mechanics and Materials, in partnership with University of Tours via Polytech Tours. Trains engineers in technological and scientific skills for product and process design.
• Ingénieur Smart building Five-year engineering degree in Smart Building, combining electronics-automation-industrial computing with sustainable construction and building energy efficiency.
• Ingénieur Informatique et systèmes intelligents embarqués Five-year engineering degree in Computer Science and Intelligent Embedded Systems. Trains engineers to design and implement complex IT systems for automotive, aerospace, IoT, energy, and healthcare applications.
• CS Technicien en soudage
• Licence Professionnelle CAPPI - Parcours Lean Manufacturing - Qualité
• Continuing Education and Professional Development (Formations professionnelles) Continuing professional development programs for employed adults and job seekers, delivered through CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), transition CPF, professionalization contracts (contrats de professionnalisation), company training plans, and CQPM/CQPI certification pathways. Revenue flows through Opco funding, employer direct payment, or individual CPF accounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86% exam pass rate for CAP (June 2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sandvik CoromantcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Three-year partnership agreement signed April 2026 between PROMETA/Pole Formation UIMM/CFAI Centre-Val de Loire (President Patrick Bourrelier) and Sandvik Coromant (Sales Cluster Manager Marcel Bellorini). Aims to strengthen attractiveness and skills pipeline for the tooling-machining sector in Centre-Val de Loire. Benefits sites in Bourges (18) and La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (45) for BAC, BTS and Bachelor learners. Includes: annual Sandvik Coromant tooling donation, digital pedagogical resources, annual trainer training, and two free technical training days per year for apprentices.
• Université de Tours / Polytech TourscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for engineering degree programs in Electronique et génie electrique and Mecanique et materiaux, delivered at Polytech Tours. Students earn UIMM-certified engineering diplomas in partnership with the university.
• Université d'Orléans / Polytech OrléanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for engineering degree in Management de la production, delivered through Polytech Orleans. UIMM-certified engineering diploma in collaboration with the university.
• ITII Centre-Val de LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITII (Institut des Techniques d'Ingenieur de l'Industrie) Centre-Val de Loire partners for delivery of engineering degree programs, including Informatique et systemes intelligents embarques, Management de la production, Mecanique et materiaux, and Smart building. New Ingénieur Electronique et Génie Electrique opening for 2026 in partnership with ITII and Polytech Tours.
• CNAM Centre-Val de LoireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Licence professionnelle CAPPI parcours Lean manufacturing at the Deols (36) site, opening 2026. CNAM provides higher education accreditation and academic framework for the professional degree.
• Théâtre de l'Escabeau (Briare)minorOthersPartnership with the Briare theater company for the 'Aux Arts, Lyceens et Apprentis!' regional program. Apprentices in TCI and TRPM participate in theater performances, developing public speaking and artistic skills alongside industrial competencies.
• Région Centre-Val de LoirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council provides funding for apprenticeship programs and supports initiatives including 'Aux Arts, Lyceens et Apprentis!' cultural program. Maintains regional skills development priorities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AFORP: Industrial apprenticeship and continuing education organization serving Île-de-France manufacturers — direct parallel to CFAI Centre in another major French industrial region, with similar CAP/BTS/Bachelor programs for metallurgy-related trades.
• Greta: Public network of GRETA (GRoupements d'ETAblissements) delivering continuing education to adults, including industrial trades. Competes with CFAI Centre's CPF-funded continuing education and professionalization contract streams.
• AFPA: France's national public vocational training agency, offering competing programs across welding, machining, maintenance and industrial trades via alternance. AFPA is the most direct large-scale competitor to CFAI Centre in industrial apprenticeship training across France.
• AFTRAL: Leading French apprenticeship provider specializing in transport, logistics and industrial equipment handling — overlaps with CFAI Centre's maintenance, logistics and mechatronics programs in the OPCO-funded apprenticeship market.
• CCI Formation / CCI Campus: Chambers of Commerce and Industry operate a parallel apprenticeship network for trades and technical diplomas. CCI Formation offers BAC PRO, BTS and industry-aligned programs competing for the same regional employer apprenticeship tax pool.
• Compagnons du Devoir: Traditional French apprenticeship organization for skilled crafts (métiers du bâtiment and industrial trades). Competes for the same 15-25 year-old apprentice pool with a strong brand in craftsmanship and tour-de-France mobility, partially overlapping with CFAI Centre's CAP and BAC PRO programs.

Broad incumbents

• CESI: Private French engineering school group offering apprentissage engineering degrees in Industry 4.0, IT and electronics — directly competes with CFAI Centre's Ingénieur and Bachelor programs at the BAC+3 to BAC+5 level.
• Pôle Formation UIMM Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: Sister Pôle Formation UIMM in the larger Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, operating under the same UIMM banner and offering equivalent industrial apprenticeship programs (CAP through Ingénieur). Sister-entity relationship makes it both peer and reference point for benchmarking.
• Pôle Formation UIMM Bretagne: Sister Pôle Formation UIMM in Brittany offering the equivalent industrial training range (CAP to Ingénieur). Same UIMM national network but operating as a separate regional entity — close comparability for size, programs and funding model.

Others

• ITII France: National federation coordinating the ITII institutes that deliver CFAI Centre's engineering degrees (Ingénieur Informatique et systèmes intelligents embarqués, Smart building, etc.). Acts as both a partner and an ecosystem peer setting curriculum/credentialing standards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PformationCVDL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDbAkapmsct_D1O9lspzCvA
• Facebookfacebook.com/cfaicentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pole-formation-uimm-cfai-centre-val-de-loire
• Instagraminstagram.com/poleformationuimmcentre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 CFAI Center