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While schoolchildren in Saint-Barth have already resumed classes, students at the apprentice training center (CFA) still have a few days before they return to their establishments. However, as with every return to school, it's the instructors who will be the first to go back to work, starting on Wednesday September 18. Three days later, they will be joined by apprentices and their parents, as well as CFA partner companies, for an information meeting. Four integration days follow, on September 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. Lastly, classes will start on September 30, depending on the course of study, which, as in previous years, has a large number of courses on offer.
Indeed, the CFA will be offering 21 different courses over the 2024/2025 school year: 9 in CAP (certificat d'aptitude professionnelle) and 14 in Bac Pro. This, for 61 apprentices. Last year, the number of apprentices was "only" 53. This demonstrates the growing success of the structure which, it should be remembered, is unique in France. Not because of its size or the number of apprentices, of course, but because of its concept and operation.
Lace-making
The Saint-Barthélemy CFA, which is housed at the Collège Mireille Choisy in Gustavia, is the island's only training establishment. In February 2022, it was awarded Eduform certification, the French Ministry of Education and Youth's quality label for vocational training. But the main reason why the CFA stands out from all the other centers is that it offers virtually "à la carte" training. Each year, the school's managers design the training cycle like artisans weave lace. This precision work enables us to meet the needs of all apprenticeship applicants. Whatever the apprenticeship, the CFA teams must be able to find a training organization and a company willing to take on the apprentice. The CFA's aim, in addition to providing vocational training for young people, is also to open up employment prospects on the island that correspond to its needs.
For example, at the start of the 2024 academic year, four of the nine CAP courses will only be available to one apprentice (reinforced concrete builder, marine maintenance, sanitary installation fitter and pastry chef). The same applies to the Bac Pro, with courses in bakery and pastry-making, bodywork and automotive painting, aluminum and glass joinery, and refrigeration and renewable energies. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that with a total of 23 courses for 61 apprentices, the number of students per section is never high.
Support from Cem and the local authority
In CAP, for example, the courses with the highest number of enrolments are Early Childhood Educational Assistant and Multi-skilled Commercial Equipment Operator, with six apprentices each. In Bac Pro, the only course with six apprentices is Electrical and Connected Environments. The others range from two to four apprentices.
Tailoring training courses to individual needs obviously requires a major investment on the part of the CFA's teaching and administrative teams. Internship agreements, recruiting instructors, consolidating partnerships with technical high schools and other external training organizations, not forgetting the search for partner companies - the tasks are manifold.
To ensure that apprentices can follow their training in the best possible conditions, the CFA can count on the support of the Chambre économique multiprofessionnelle (Cem) and the Collectivité territoriale. The latter has allocated a sum of 65,000 euros to the Center in 2023 as part of its operating grant. This will be increased to 80,000 euros in 2024. This sum will be used to finance the travel of instructors from Saint-Martin to Saint-Barth, as well as the travel of apprentices to Saint-Martin and Guadeloupe. The cost of these trips naturally includes accommodation, transport and catering allowances.
Finally, it's worth recalling that the CFA's apprentice success rate was perfect last year, with 100% of CAP and Bac Pro graduates. This excellence was hailed by the former Minister for Overseas France, Marie Guévenoux, when she visited the island last April.
