In this EAfA Member Spotlight article, we spoke with a representative from France Chimie, an organisation that works with public authorities to address industry challenges and develop a sustainable chemical industry in France.
Read on to discover more about France Chimie’s pledge and the strategies they use to support EAfA.
Please can you provide a short overview of your pledge and the EAfA objectives it relates to?
France Chimie is committed to supporting EAfA’s objectives, including increasing the supply and quality of apprenticeships, enhancing the image of apprenticeships, promoting European mobility, and strengthening green and digital skills. As part of this commitment, we pledged to increase the number of work-study students in the chemical industry by 30% by 2025, using the 2020/2021 academic year as a baseline, when there were 6,000 contracts.
In 2023 and 2024, we have already met the 30% target, with more than 7,800 work-study contracts signed each year—well above the benchmark of 6,000 contracts set in 2020/2021. We are also expanding apprenticeship opportunities at EQF Level 6 and actively promoting gender diversity through dedicated programmes and partnerships.
How did you first hear about EAfA and why did you decide to submit a pledge?
We first heard about EAfA through the LinkedIn group and communications from the European Commission’s DG Employment.
Submitting a pledge was a natural step for France Chimie as it aligns with our commitments to improve and promote apprenticeships as well as broader European goals on youth employment, gender equality, and the green and digital transitions.
What opportunities has your organisation taken to contribute to EAfA activities?
We see EAfA as an important and evolving European network that aligns with our overall objectives, particularly the promotion of scientific careers among young people.
We support apprentice mobility through the Euro App Mobility Association, which leads the Mobility Community. France Chimie is part of this Community through our collaboration with OPCO 2i, the organisation responsible for managing and financing work-study programmes in our sector. We contribute by developing resources to support mobility, such as an industry-focused e-learning programme and a digital skills certification called PIX.
How have you promoted EAfA membership to your members and partners?
We are currently preparing a communication campaign to promote our EAfA membership on the France Chimie website and through our various communication channels at a European level.
This initiative aims to raise awareness among our members, partners, and the broader public about the importance of apprenticeships for the future of the chemical industry. We intend to highlight our alignment with EAfA’s objectives and to encourage other stakeholders to engage in similar efforts to strengthen apprenticeship systems across Europe.
Since submitting a pledge, what activities has your organisation undertaken to achieve the EAfA objectives in your pledge?
In accordance with EAfA commitments, France Chimie is focusing its editorial work on apprenticeship-related topics across its employment and training platforms. Current initiatives involve conducting interviews with companies and former apprentices, sharing information about apprenticeship opportunities within the chemical industry, and increasing the number of apprenticeships.
France Chimie has also launched the ‘DécarboChim’ project to develop a common skills framework that supports chemical company decarbonisation in France. Partnering with the Gay-Lussac Federation and the Assembly of Technical Colleges, the project aims to create student training programmes and promote chemical decarbonisation throughout the industry.
How does your pledge support broader EU or national goals related to gender equality in education and employment?
France Chimie participates in initiatives organised by the French National Industry Council (Conseil national de l’industrie – CNI) that seek to advance gender balance within technical and scientific professions.
One of our regional entities (France Chimie Picardie Champagne Ardennes) has produced a series of portraits featuring female professionals called ‘La chimie au féminin’ [Chemistry for Women]’, helping to challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to pursue careers in science. We intend to reinforce this approach and highlight role models for women.
What measures has your organisation taken to ensure equal access to apprenticeships for women and girls?
Gender equality in apprenticeships is a key priority for France Chimie. Each year, we ensure at least 50% of apprenticeship contracts are held by women, reflecting our strong commitment to gender balance.
In fact, 40% of the workforce in French chemical companies is female, including 54% of women in apprenticeships across all degree programmes and 50% of engineering students studying at the 20 chemical engineering schools.
We are using every means possible to sustain these figures as they set us apart in the French industrial landscape. This includes establishing a partnership with the CGénial foundation, which promotes science and technology, combats prejudices among young people, and supports them and their teachers to discover diversity in our sector.
As part of our broader commitment to fostering equal opportunities for women and girls in all areas of the chemical industry, we moderate the Chimie Work employment platform to ensure that all job postings – including apprenticeships – are inclusive and promote gender-neutral language and practices.
Are you inspired by France Chimie’s commitment to delivering high-quality, equal-access apprenticeships? Start your journey to becoming an EAfA member and submit a pledge on our EAfA Membership and Pledges webpage.
