What Ucpa Formation does

UCPA Formation is the vocational training and apprenticeship division (CFA) of UCPA Sport Vacances, a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1965 and recognised as the first sports employer in France with 12,000 collaborators. The organisation delivers RNCP-registered state diplomas, primarily BPJEPS, DEJEPS, and BNSSA, across 14 sectors including fitness, aquatic activities, equestrian, skiing, mountain biking, surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, mountaineering, multi-sport, socio-cultural animation, and ACM direction. In 2025 it trained 1,702 learners (including 927 apprentices) through 149 programmes, with an 82.2% exam pass rate and 93.1% graduate employment access.

The operating model combines theoretical coursework in dedicated training centres with practical immersion in UCPA's owned network of leisure sports facilities, including five UCPA Sport Station complexes (Bordeaux Brazza 14,000 m², Grand Reims 12,000 m², Nantes, Meudon, Paris 19 Hostel) and UCPA Aqua Stadium sites (Mérignac, Blois). Pedagogy is built on a humanist UCPA Educational Method centred on relational experience, action-based autonomy, social-bond formation, progressive well-being, and environmental/safety responsibility. The technology stack is operationally conventional — website enrollment via Google Forms, online information sessions, and CRM-light customer flow — with no disclosed proprietary software, AI, or platform architecture beyond standard web properties.

Revenue is generated through three coordinated channels: (1) apprenticeship and professionalisation contracts where employers cover tuition and UCPA coaches trainees into host structures (clubs, municipalities, aquatic centres); (2) public financing through Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine conventionnées, France Travail (Pôle Emploi) POE, CPF, and other regional subsidies; and (3) individual financing as a fallback, priced at €3,307.50 (BNSSA), €6,820 (BPJEPS AAN), and €6,900 (BPJEPS APSF). Distribution is omnichannel-direct (B2C) layered with B2B2C institutional partnerships, supported by social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn), online information sessions, careers fairs (Mondial des Métiers, Equita Lyon), and direct employer outreach. Customer segments span individual career-changers, disadvantaged youth via the Sésame Gironde device, and host employers (municipalities, private aquatic centres, fitness clubs).

Name

Ucpa Formation

Legal name

UCPA Sport Vacances

Website

https://ucpa-formation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UCPA Formation is the training and apprenticeship arm of UCPA, a French non-profit association that delivers RNCP-certified BPJEPS, DEJEPS, and BNSSA diplomas, training roughly 1,700 individuals annually across 14 sport and animation sectors within UCPA's nationwide network of leisure sports facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Sports Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Referee, Umpire & Coach Education/Certification Academies (MPAKAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)

Keywords

• Sports vocational training
• Apprenticeship sports diplomas
• Aquatic lifeguard certification
• Fitness coach training
• Professional sports education

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training fees (apprentissage / professionnalisation): Revenue is generated through alternating training contracts (apprenticeship contracts and professionalization contracts). Employers cover the cost of training, often with regional subsidies. UCPA Formation also receives public financing from Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and other regions. Some trainees are fully funded and indemnified through France Travail (Pôle Emploi).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UCPA Formation is a French vocational training organization and Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA) that delivers state-recognized sports diplomas (BPJEPS, DEJEPS, BNSSA) and pre-qualification pathways across 14 sport sectors including fitness, aquatics, equestrian, skiing, mountain biking, surfing, sailing, mountaineering, multisport, and socio-cultural animation. Training is delivered through a hybrid alternation model combining classroom coursework with practical immersion inside UCPA's own network of professional sports facilities (aquatic centers, fitness complexes, equestrian centers, ski resorts) across France.

Product overview

UCPA Formation is a professional training organization and Apprenticeship Training Center (CFA) offering sports and animation diploma programs. The portfolio includes BPJEPS and DEJEPS professional diplomas across 14 sectors (fitness, aquatic, equestrian, skiing, mountain biking, surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, mountaineering, multi-sport, socio-cultural animation, ACM direction, tourism English), pre-qualification programs (Prépa BPJEPS, Dispositif Sésame), and BNSSA lifeguard certification. The company also operates five UCPA Sport Station multisport facilities (Bordeaux, Reims, Nantes, Paris 19, Meudon) where practical training occurs, and One Life sub-brand targeting 18-30 year olds. Training is delivered through alternation (apprenticeship/professionalization contracts) and full-time formats, with financing options including CPF, France Travail, and regional funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UCPA Sport Station: Multi-sport complexes offering fitness, racquet sports, aquatic activities, climbing, and leisure activities across France (Bordeaux, Reims, Nantes, Meudon, Paris 19)
• One Life
• UCPA Aqua Stadium
• UCPA Sport Trotter
• UCPA Sport Vacances

Products and services

• BPJEPS - Brevet Professionnel de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sports Professional diploma from the French Ministry of Sports enabling holders to become sports educators across multiple specialties (fitness, aquatic activities, riding, skiing, cycling, sailing, wakeboarding). Recognized under the RNCP.
• DEJEPS - Diplôme d'État de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sport State diploma for sports and animation professionals at a higher level than BPJEPS, enabling advanced coaching and educational responsibilities.
• BPJEPS AAN - Activités Aquatiques et de la Natation Aquatic activities and swimming diploma enabling holders to become lifeguard/swimming instructors, qualified to supervise swimming activities and other aquatic activities. RNCP36248.
• BPJEPS APSF - Activités Physiques et Sportives de la Forme Sports fitness diploma allowing holders to become fitness coaches, leading a wide range of fitness and strength activities. RNCP41752. Combines former Options A (group courses) and B (weightlifting and bodybuilding).
• BNSSA - Brevet National de Sécurité et de Sauvage Aquatique National safety and aquatic rescue diploma from the Ministry of the Interior, the first step toward becoming a lifeguard before pursuing BPJEPS AAN.
• Prépa BPJEPS - Pré-qualification program Pre-qualification training program preparing candidates for BPJEPS AF or BPJEPS MAPST. Includes sports refresher, TEP preparation, and coaching for finding an alternation company.
• Formation Équitation - Equestrian instructor training Equestrian training programs including Animateur d'Équitation, BPJEPS Équitation, DEJEPS Équitation, and CS ETJE certifications.
• Formation Ski Alpin - Alpine ski instructor training Alpine skiing instructor training leading to DE Ski alpin diploma.
• Formation VTT - Mountain bike instructor training Mountain biking instructor training leading to DEJEPS VTT diploma.
• Formation Surf - Surf instructor training Surf instructor training leading to BPJEPS Surf diploma.
• Formation Voile - Sailing instructor training Sailing instructor training including CQP initiateur voile certification.
• Formation Wake / Ski Nautique - Water ski and wakeboard training Water skiing and wakeboard instructor training leading to BPJEPS Ski nautique - wakeboard diploma.
• Formation Multisport - BPJEPS APT / MAPST Multi-sport training programs including BPJEPS MAPST (ex-APT, Activités Physiques pour Tous) for general sports instruction across multiple disciplines.
• Formation Animation Socioculturelle - Socio-cultural animation training Socio-cultural animation training including BPJEPS ASEC (ex-LTP) for youth work and community animation.
• Formation GHM / Alpinisme - High mountain guide training High Mountain Guide training leading to DE Alpinisme GHM diploma.
• Direction ACM / CCDACM - Leisure facility director training Director training for Accueil Collectif de Mineurs (ACM) leading to CCDACM certification for managing children's leisure facilities.
• Formation Anglais du Tourisme - Tourism English training English language training for tourism sector professionals.
• Dispositif Sésame Gironde - Pre-qualification device for disadvantaged youth Preparation device for 16-25 year olds (30 for disabled) in Gironde territory to prepare for sports educator training with personalized support, diagnostic evaluation, and certification preparation (BNSSA, PSC1, riding gallops).
• Formation Fitness / Musculation - BPJEPS AF Bordeaux Brazza cohort Training program in fitness and bodybuilding sector, including BPJEPS APSF (formerly AF) for becoming a sports coach.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82.2% exam pass rate in 2025 across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRégion Nouvelle-Aquitaine provides conventionnées (subsidized) training places for UCPA Formation programs, covering tuition costs and providing monthly stipends to trainees. UCPA Formation offers BPJEPS AF, BPJEPS AAN, and other programs at Bordeaux, Mérignac, and other Nouvelle-Aquitaine locations with this regional partnership.
• France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance Travail funds training for unemployed job seekers through Programs like Préparation Opérationnelle à l'Emploi (POE). UCPA offers BNSSA and other programs fully funded and indemnified for job seekers. Candidates must be registered with France Travail to benefit.
• Centre équestre UCPA municipal de St-Médard-en-JallescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sésame Gironde device (for disadvantaged youth) takes place at the UCPA municipal equestrian center in St-Médard-en-Jalles and the UCPA Aqua Stadium in Mérignac. This is an integration partner hosting trainees during their preparatory program.
• UCPA Aqua Stadium MérignaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCPA Aqua Stadium Mérignac is both a training venue and a partner for the Sésame Gironde device, hosting aquatic trainees. It also offers the BPJEPS AAN training program for becoming a maître-nageur sauveteur.
• Ministry of Sports (Ministère des Sports, des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCPA Formation is habilité (authorized) by the Ministry of Sports to deliver official sports diplomas including BPJEPS, DEJEPS, and related certifications. The Ministry certifies and regulates the diplomas (RNCP) that UCPA Formation awards.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IRFA Formation: French vocational training organization delivering BPJEPS and other sport/animation diplomas under alternance. Operates as a direct CFA peer for sport professions across multiple regions in France.
• Win Sport School: Private French school network delivering BPJEPS and sport-business programs under alternance model. Competes directly with UCPA Formation in BPJEPS AF/APSF and equestrian specialties, particularly for apprenticeship-funded candidates.
• CREPS (Centres de Ressources, d'Expertise et de Performance Sportives): France's national network of regional public sports training centers, also habilitated by the Ministry of Sports to deliver BPJEPS, DEJEPS and related diplomas. CREPS is the closest public-sector comparator and direct competitor for the same state-recognized diplomas and apprentice pool.
• UFR STAPS (Sciences et Techniques des Activités Physiques et Sportives): University departments delivering Licence/Master STAPS degrees and partially BPJEPS pathways. Compete for the same candidate pool seeking careers in sports, though at the academic rather than vocational/apprenticeship tier; both feed the same French sports labor market.

Others

• AFTRAL: Major French alternance training group focused on transport, logistics and supply chain. While not a sport peer, AFTRAL is one of the largest private CFAs by apprentice volume in France and competes for the same pool of alternance-eligible candidates and OPCO financing.
• France Compétences: French national regulator overseeing RNCP certifications, QUALIOPI quality framework, and apprenticeship financing rules. Not a competitor but the principal ecosystem gatekeeper whose decisions on RNCP registration and alternance tarifs directly affect UCPA Formation's economic model.

Broad incumbents

• AFPA (Agence nationale pour la Formation Professionnelle des Adultes): Largest French public vocational training organization operating across many sectors (industry, services, sport). Provides some sport-related certifications and competes for France Travail-funded trainees, but is a broad incumbent rather than a sport specialist.
• CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers): Large French higher-education institution delivering professional titles and certifications across many fields. Does not specialize in sport but competes broadly for alternance-funded candidates and has expanded into sport/Sport Santé modules relevant to UCPA Formation.

Emerging players

• INSEEC Sport: Private school within the INSEEC group offering sport management and BPJEPS-related programs. Overlaps with UCPA Formation on the coach/instructor pathway but extends more into sport business and management specializations.
• INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance): France's elite athlete training and certification institute, also delivering DEJEPS-level specializations. Focused on high-performance and elite coaching paths rather than mass-market lifeguard/fitness diplomas, but shares the same Ministry of Sports regulatory ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ucpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ucpa-formation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucpa_formation
• TikToktiktok.com/@ucpa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 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 Ucpa Formation