What Croix-Rouge Compétence does

Croix-Rouge Compétence is the dedicated training and education subsidiary of Croix-Rouge française (French Red Cross), operating as a non-profit association under French law (association loi 1901) recognized as being of public utility. The organization delivers professional training programs for 32 healthcare, social work, medico-social, and early childhood professions through a network of 157 institutes across 60 sites covering 14 French regions including overseas territories (Guyane française, Polynésie française). It trains more than 110,000 people annually, comprising 21,032 learners in diploma-qualifying programs, 102,101 in continuing professional education, and 3,700 apprentices via its CFA apprenticeship center operating from 52 sites. The organization issues State-recognized Diplômes d'État and is Qualiopi-certified, positioning it as a category leader that trains approximately 11.5% of all nurses and 22% of all care assistants in France.

The portfolio spans short courses, diploma and certification programs, pre-qualification training, apprenticeship (work-study), initial training accessible via the Parcoursup platform, continuing professional education, first aid training (PSC), experience validation (VAE), and bridge programs. Training delivery is multi-modal, combining classroom, distance learning, and blended formats. Revenue derives from five streams: enterprise B2B training contracts funded through employer development plans and OPCO collective agreements; individual learner enrollment financed via CPF, PTP, and Pôle Emploi; apprenticeship contracts funded through Auspro and employer sponsorships; the taxe d'apprentissage (apprenticeship tax); and continuing professional training under OPCO arrangements.

Distribution is anchored by direct enrollment at the 157 institutes, integration with the national Parcoursup higher education platform, OPCO and Pôle Emploi referral partnerships, and the CFA employer-sponsor apprenticeship network. Marketing channels include the Croix-Rouge française digital ecosystem, regional open days, social media, World First Aid Day events, and institutional PR. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by training type, duration, and funding arrangement, with third-party funders (CPF, OPCO, Pôle Emploi) covering costs for eligible participants.

Name

Croix-Rouge Compétence

Legal name

Croix-Rouge française

Website

https://competence.croix-rouge.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1864

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Croix-Rouge Compétence is the French Red Cross's training subsidiary, delivering professional education in 32 healthcare, social, medico-social, and early childhood professions through 157 institutes across France, training over 110,000 people annually including 22% of all French care assistants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare and Social Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ), TVET/Skills & Workforce Education Authorities (EDADAAAH), Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

Keywords

• Healthcare vocational training
• Social work education
• Professional certification programs
• Apprenticeship training
• Medico-social training

Headquarters

HQ city

Montrouge, Île-de-France

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional training services (B2B): Revenue from enterprises contracting training services for employees. Corporate clients finance training via their skills development budgets (plan de développement des compétences), OPCO collective funding, or direct payment.
2. Individual learner enrollment: Revenue from individuals enrolling in training programs, financed through CPF (personal training account), PTP (professional transition projects), Pôle Emploi funding, or self-payment.
3. Apprenticeship contracts (CFA): Revenue from apprenticeship training via the CFA Croix-Rouge Compétence, financed through Auspro funds and employer-sponsor contracts. 3,700 apprentices trained annually.
4. Taxe d'apprentissage (apprenticeship tax): Organizations direct their apprenticeship tax contributions to Croix-Rouge Compétence to support training quality, equipment, and pedagogical innovation.
5. Continuing professional training (OPC): Revenue from continuing professional training for 102,101 trainees annually, funded through OPCO collective agreements and individual rights.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Croix-Rouge Compétence is the training division of the French Red Cross, delivering professional education and certification programs in healthcare, social work, medico-social fields, and early childhood care. Operating 157 training institutes across 60 sites in France, it trains over 110,000 people annually through initial training, continuing education, apprenticeship, VAE validation, and bridge programs covering 32 professions.

Product overview

Croix-Rouge Compétence is the training division of the French Red Cross, operating as a unified network of 157 training institutes across 60 sites in France. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of training programs including short courses, diploma/certification programs, pre-qualification training, apprenticeship (via CFA Croix-Rouge Compétence), first aid training (PSC), continuing education, initial training, work-study programs, VAE, and bridge programs. These offerings prepare learners for 32 professions in healthcare, social work, medico-social, and early childhood sectors, serving over 110,000 people annually including 21,032 learners in diploma programs, 102,101 in continuing education, and 3,700 apprentices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CFA Croix-Rouge Compétence: Apprenticeship center specializing in health and social care professions, with over 60 years of expertise and 52 sites across France.

Products and services

• Formations courtes Short-term training programs offering quick skill development in healthcare and social sectors for working professionals, job seekers, and individuals seeking fast-track qualifications.
• Formations diplômantes et certifiantes Diploma and certification programs providing state-recognized qualifications (Diplômes d'État) in sanitary, social, medico-social, and early childhood sectors, with 21,032 learners enrolled in diploma-qualifying programs.
• Formations préqualifiantes Pre-qualification training programs designed to prepare learners for further professional qualifications in healthcare, social, and medico-social sectors.
• CFA Croix-Rouge Compétence Apprenticeship training center with over 60 years of expertise and 52 sites across France, training in health and social professions through work-study programs with 3,700 apprentices annually.
• Formation aux Premiers Secours (PSC) First aid training programs including PSC1 (Prevention and Civic First Aid Level 1), child and infant first aid initiation, and life-saving gestures training, recognized internationally by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• Formation professionnelle continue Continuing professional education programs for employed healthcare and social professionals, with 102,101 trainees annually funded through OPCO collective agreements and individual rights.
• Formation initiale Initial training programs for students, accessible via the Parcoursup platform for higher education admission, leading to state-recognized diplomas in healthcare and social professions.
• Formation en alternance Work-study training programs combining classroom learning with practical workplace experience, financed through Auspro funds and employer-sponsor contracts.
• VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) Experience-based validation program allowing individuals to obtain official certifications based on professional experience, enabling working professionals to formalize competencies acquired on the job.
• Formation passerelle Bridge programs allowing learners to transition between different training pathways or career paths in healthcare, social, and medico-social sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.5% of all nurses trained in France come from Croix-Rouge Compétence programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ParcoursupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2026Parcoursup is the national French platform for higher education admission. Croix-Rouge Compétence offers several training programs accessible exclusively through Parcoursup, enabling initial vocational training enrollment for students.
• OPCO (Opérateurs de Compétences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPCO are French collective skills development funding bodies that finance professional training for employees. They direct trainees to accredited training providers like Croix-Rouge Compétence and cover training costs.
• Pôle EmploicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench public employment service that supports job seekers with training funding and career guidance. Partners with Croix-Rouge Compétence to provide funded training pathways for unemployed individuals.
• France CompétencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational authority overseeing vocational training and apprenticeship funding in France. Awards and monitors Qualiopi certification quality framework within which Croix-Rouge Compétence operates.
• CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench personal training account system allowing individuals to accumulate training rights. Croix-Rouge Compétence training programs are eligible for CPF funding for enrolled individuals.
• La PosteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership since 1914. La Poste sells Red Cross stamps with a portion of proceeds donated to the organization. In 2005, La Poste remitted €4 million to Croix-Rouge française from stamp sales.
• Accor Services FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner running Ticket Restaurant donation program. In 2006, collected over €126,000 for Croix-Rouge food aid programs through 'Tickets données, repas partagés' operation.
• CanonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner for fashion photography exhibition 'De l'autre côté de la mode' at Galeries Lafayette, raising funds for Croix-Rouge française.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Ordre National des Infirmiers: National regulatory body for nurses in France; not a training competitor but a key stakeholder that shapes curriculum and credentialing requirements affecting CRC's nurse training programs.

Direct peers

• AFTRAL: Leading French vocational training group with a CFA apprenticeship network across multiple sectors; comparable to CRC's CFA in scale and apprenticeship-funding (Auspro) mechanics, though focused on transport/logistics rather than healthcare/social.
• AFPA (Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle des adultes): France's primary public vocational training operator offering diploma programs and continuing education across multiple sectors; the closest direct national competitor to CRC in adult professional training, with overlapping B2B/B2C channels and public funding dependencies.
• IRTS (Institut Régional du Travail Social): Regional social-work training institutes delivering State-recognized diplomas in social and medico-social professions; directly competes with CRC's social-work training programs and shares the same Diplôme d'État regulatory pathway and OPCO funding model.
• GRETA (GRoupement d'ETAblissements): Network of public education establishments (under the French Ministry of Education) providing continuing vocational training; competes directly with CRC on continuing education contracts for adults, particularly in healthcare and social sectors, funded via CPF and OPCO.

Broad incumbents

• Cegos: Large French and international corporate training provider with broad continuing-education catalog; relevant peer in continuing professional training (where CRC serves 102,101 trainees/year) but Cegos focuses on corporate B2B and soft-skills rather than State-diploma healthcare credentials.
• CCI Formation: Chambers of Commerce and Industry operate nationwide training networks (e.g., ESIEC, ECOLES CCI Paris) delivering vocational and continuing education; overlaps with CRC in continuing professional training and apprenticeship pathways, though more weighted to commerce/industry than healthcare.

Emerging players

• Studyalis / CNAM: Conservatoire national des arts et métiers offers healthcare and social-work degree programs via continuing education pathways; competes with CRC for adult learners seeking recognized credentials, particularly those financed through CPF.
• Santé Académie (or equivalent digital nursing prep platforms): Emerging digital-first providers offering flexible prep for nursing diplomas and care-assistant certifications; partial overlap with CRC's continuing-education and bridge programs, targeting price-sensitive and geographically remote learners where CRC's institute model is less efficient.

Regional players

• Croix-Rouge suisse (Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz) — Education and Training: Swiss Red Cross operates parallel healthcare and care training programs (care assistant, nursing); sister organization in a different geography, providing a comparable model but not a direct domestic competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CroixRouge
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYX4PcgqrQlx5togadd5JEA
• Facebookfr-fr.facebook.com/fr.CroixRouge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/croix-rouge-competence
• Instagraminstagram.com/croixrougefr/?hl=fr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Croix-Rouge Compétence