cfa social

What cfa social does

CFA Social, Médico-social et Sanitaire (CFA SMS) is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2012 to coordinate apprenticeship training across the health, social, and medico-social sectors in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Operating as a CFA hors les murs (off-site apprenticeship center), CFA SMS does not deliver training directly but acts as the contractual and regulatory intermediary linking apprentice candidates, employers, and 14 partner training organisms (UFAs) operating 19 training sites across the region. The portfolio spans 17 diploma programs ranging from CAP-level (e.g., DEAES, Moniteur Éducateur) through BAC+5 (CAFERUIS, CAFDES), covering nursing assistants, ambulance technicians, childcare assistants, registered nurses, social workers, specialized educators, and youth animation professionals.

The organization is funded primarily through France's OPCO system (Opérateurs de Compétences), which covers training costs for diplomas below level 6, supplemented by a €750 employer contribution for BAC+3-5 diplomas, public-sector custom quotes, and state-backed exceptional hiring aids (€750-€6,000 per contract in 2026). Operational technology is limited to the Studea digital apprenticeship log for tracking alternating training schedules and a website pre-registration portal. CFA SMS is the only CFA in Centre-Val de Loire exclusively dedicated to these sectors, holds Qualiopi certification (mandatory for OPCO eligibility), and is an active member of the national FNAPSS federation. Reported 2025 outcomes include 96% apprentice satisfaction, 84% exam success rate, 86% professional integration in the trained field, and an 8.30% contract rupture rate — meaningfully below national averages.

Name

cfa social

Legal name

CFA Social, Médico-social et Sanitaire

Website

https://cfasms.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship Training Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPACANAK

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Training, Learning & Development Services

SECONDARYEDAAAKAO

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Career Readiness & Employability Skills (Resume, Interview, Workplace Skills)

SECONDARYEDAKANAF

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

Keywords

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Blois

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. OPCO-funded training fees: For private employers, training fees for diplomas below level 6 (BAC+3) are fully covered by the OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences). For level 6 and 7 diplomas, employers contribute €750. For public employers, a custom quote is provided.
2. Apprentice wages (employer-funded): Apprentices are salaried employees; employers pay wages based on age and contract year (ranging from 43% to 100% of SMIC), with partial exemptions available.
3. Exceptional hiring aid (2026): State-funded exceptional hiring grants for apprenticeship contracts signed between March 8, 2026 and December 31, 2026, ranging from €750 to €6,000 depending on company size and diploma level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CFA Social (CFA SMS) operates as an off-site apprenticeship center ('CFA hors les murs') coordinating apprenticeship contracts and training delivery between apprentices, employers, and 14 partner training organisms across 19 sites in Centre-Val de Loire. The organization offers 17 state-recognized diploma programs in healthcare, social work, medico-social services, and youth animation, ranging from CAP-equivalent (level V) to BAC+5 (level II), including Aide Soignant, Infirmier, Éducateur Spécialisé, Assistant de Service Social, CAFERUIS, and CAFDES.

Product overview

CFA Social is a vocational apprenticeship training center (CFA hors les murs) offering 17 professional training programs across the healthcare, social work, and youth animation sectors in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The organization coordinates apprenticeships between employers and 14 partner training institutions across 19 locations. Programs range from level V (CAP-equivalent) to level II (BAC+5), covering certified diplomas such as nursing assistants, ambulance technicians, childcare assistants, nurses, social educators, youth workers, and social service managers. The portfolio includes foundational qualifications (DEAES, Moniteur Éducateur) at lower levels, intermediate professional certifications (Éducateur Spécialisé, Assistant de Service Social) at BAC+3 level, and advanced leadership programs (CAFERUIS, CAFDES) for management positions. The CFA also offers a Prépa-Apprentissage preparatory program to help candidates discover career paths and integrate training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aide Soignant (Nursing Assistant) Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% apprentice satisfaction rate (2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institut du Travail Social (ITS) TourscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012One of the three founding members of CFA SMS (2012). Key partner training organism offering éducateur spécialisé, éducateur technique spécialisé, moniteur éducateur, moniteur d'atelier, and assistant de vie aux familles programs. Also offers maître d'apprentissage training. Sites: Tours, Chartres, Blois.
• École Régionale du Travail Social (ERTS) OlivetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012One of the three founding members of CFA SMS (2012). Major partner offering CAFERUIS, CAFDES, éducateur spécialisé, assistant de service social, éducateur technique spécialisé, and other social work programs. Sites: Olivet, Bourges, Chartres.
• Maisons Familiales et Rurales (MFR) TourscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012One of the three founding members of CFA SMS (2012). Agricultural and rural family training centers contributing to the founding vision of developing apprenticeship in the region.
• IFPM Orléans (Institut de Formation Professionnelle Maritime / IFPM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner offering infirmier, auxiliaire de puériculture, aide-soignant, and related health programs via apprenticeship at Orléans. One of the largest UFA partners with 7 training locations.
• IFSI IFS BloiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner (Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers) in Blois offering infirmier and aide-soignant programs. One of the most active UFA partners with multiple sites in Loir-et-Cher (Blois, Montoire, Romorantin).
• IFSI IFAS ChâteaudunminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Châteaudun offering infirmier and aide-soignant apprenticeship programs for Eure-et-Loir department.
• IFSI IFAS de MontargisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner (IFPM Montargis) offering infirmier, aide-soignant, and related programs via apprenticeship in the Loiret department.
• IFAS Saint-Amand-MontrondminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Saint-Amand-Montrond (Cher) offering aide-soignant apprenticeship programs.
• IFSI IFS AmboiseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Amboise (Indre-et-Loire) offering infirmier and aide-soignant apprenticeship programs.
• IFSI IFS VierzonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Vierzon (Cher) offering infirmier and aide-soignant apprenticeship programs.
• IFPP Dreux (IFSI IFPP)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Dreux (Eure-et-Loir) offering infirmier and aide-soignant apprenticeship programs. Also offers master d'apprentissage training.
• IFSanté ChartrescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Chartres (Eure-et-Loir) offering infirmier and aide-soignant programs. Co-organizes job dating events with CFA SMS (e.g., Job Dating Santé, October 2025).
• IFAS Bourges (CH Jacques Cœur)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner at Centre Hospitalier Jacques Cœur in Bourges offering aide-soignant and ambulancier apprenticeship programs. Co-organizes job dating events.
• CEMEA CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner offering DEJEPS (Diplôme d'État de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sport) coordination de projets program via apprenticeship in Tours.
• Ligue de l'Enseignement 28minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner offering BPJEPS and CPJEPS animation programs via apprenticeship from their Lucé site (Eure-et-Loir).
• FNAPSS (Fédération nationale pour l'Apprentissage aux Professions Sanitaires et Sociales)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation for apprenticeship in health and social professions. CFA SMS is an active member, connecting to a national network of apprenticeship centers in these sectors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AFTRAL: France's leading private CFA network specializing primarily in transport, logistics, and supply-chain apprenticeship with national coverage. Comparable as a large multi-site CFA operator with similar revenue model (OPCO-funded apprenticeship fees) but does not overlap on the health/social/medico-social diploma portfolio.
• AFPA (Agence nationale pour la Formation Professionnelle des Adultes): France's largest public vocational training operator offering apprenticeship and continuing education across many sectors including healthcare, with regional centers nationwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent in French vocational/apprenticeship training but not specialized in health/social; overlaps with CFA SMS on regulatory framework (Qualiopi, OPCO) rather than on diploma niche.
• GRETA (Réseau des GRETA): National network of public adult education providers (groupements d'établissements) under the Ministry of Education, offering continuing education and some apprenticeship programs across all sectors including health/social. Comparable as a regional public training network with OPCO-funded delivery, though typically less specialized than CFA SMS on apprenticeship-only health/social diplomas.
• CCI France (Réseau des CCI - formation / CMA Formation): Network of French Chambers of Commerce and Crafts operating regional CFAs delivering apprenticeship programs across commerce, services, and crafts. Comparable as a regional CFA operator with OPCO-funded apprenticeship revenue streams, but focused on commercial/technical trades rather than health/social specialization.

Direct peers

• Croix-Rouge Compétence (CFA Croix-Rouge): National CFA network of the French Red Cross delivering apprenticeship programs in healthcare, social work, and medico-social across multiple French regions. Most directly comparable peer to CFA SMS given overlapping sector focus (health/social apprenticeship) and similar coordination model with partner training organisms, but operating at national rather than single-region scale.
• INFA (Institut National de Formation et d'Application): National non-profit training organization specializing in social, medico-social, and animation professions, offering diplomas such as DEES, DEASS, DEEJE, and CAFERUIS via apprenticeship and continuing education. Comparable to CFA SMS through sector specialization, diploma portfolio overlap, and apprenticeship delivery model.
• ADEN Formations (CFA ADEN): Private multi-site French CFA group offering apprenticeship and professional programs in health, social, and business sectors across several regions. Comparable to CFA SMS as a CFA operating in the same apprenticeship category and offering overlapping diplomas (DEAS, DEES), though commercially owned rather than association-governed.

Others

• Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications (CMQ) Santé / Autonomie: State-labeled regional networks bundling secondary schools, CFAs, universities, and healthcare employers to coordinate health and autonomy career pathways across French regions. Adjacent ecosystem participant that helps shape apprenticeship supply and demand in the same sectors CFA SMS serves, though not a competing training provider.
• France Travail (ex-Pôle Emploi) - training arm: French national employment agency operating an in-house training division (AFPA integration pre-2025, now Afpa sous-tutelle) and purchasing training for job seekers, including in health/social sectors. Comparable as a large funder and organizer of vocational training pathways but not a competing CFA; instead, a source of candidate referrals for CFA SMS.

Regional players

• IRTS (Instituts Régionaux du Travail Social) network: Federation of regional social work training institutes (UNAFORIS) delivering diplomas such as DEES, DEASS, CAFERUIS, CAFDES across French regions, some of which (e.g., IRTS Hauts-de-France, IRTS Normandie) offer apprenticeship pathways comparable to CFA SMS's social work programs. Directly comparable on diploma portfolio but generally not structured as CFA hors les murs intermediaries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfa-sms

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about cfa social