Part Six: Lifelong vocational training

Apprenticeship contracts may be concluded for a limited period or for an indefinite period. Where it is concluded for an indefinite period, the contract begins with the apprenticeship period, during which it is governed by this Title. At the end of this period, the contractual relationship is governed by Titles II and III of Book II of Part One, with the exception of Article L. 1221-19.

The duration of the apprenticeship contract, when it is concluded for a limited period, or of the apprenticeship period, when the apprenticeship contract is concluded for an indefinite period, varies between six months and three years, subject to the cases of extension provided for in Article L. 6222-11. It is equal to the duration of the training cycle preparing for the qualification which is the subject of the contract, which…

In the event of failure to obtain the diploma or professional qualification in question, the apprenticeship may be extended for a maximum of one year: 1° Either by extending the initial contract or the apprenticeship period; 2° Or by signing a new contract with another employer under conditions laid down by decree.

The apprenticeship contract must state the date on which performance of the apprenticeship contract, the period of practical training on the employer’s premises and the period of training in the apprentice training centre begins. The date on which practical training on the employer’s premises begins may not be more than three months after the start of performance of the contract. The start date of the training period in the apprentice…

By way of derogation from article L. 6222-12, any person aged between sixteen and twenty-nine, or who is at least fifteen and can prove that they have completed the first cycle of secondary education, may, at their own request and if they have not been taken on by an employer, begin a three-month apprenticeship training course. During this period, they are granted the status of vocational training trainee and the…

Where an employee has an open-ended employment contract, this contract may, by agreement between the employee and the employer, be suspended for the duration of an apprenticeship contract with the same employer. The duration of the suspension of the employment contract is equal to the duration of the training required to obtain the professional qualification sought, as provided for in article L. 6233-8.

A decree of the Conseil d’Etat shall determine the conditions of application of this sub-section.