France: major sporting events – vocational training takes up the challenge!

These events are expected to create approximately 150 000 direct job opportunities, leading to a substantial demand for vocational training. This demand concerns mainly the fields of event organisation and security, tourism and construction.

To meet this challenge of unprecedented scope, several initiatives have been put in place.

Professional sector mobilisation

The professional branches involved in these events have set up a common prospective approach to anticipate and map qualification and recruitment needs. This approach is supported by the State within the framework of a scheme called EDEC (Commitment to the Development of Employment and Skills, Engagement pour le Développement de l'Emploi et des Compétences).

In the sports sector, the long-term objective is to create a lasting impact on the sports industry by enriching the training opportunities available within the sector.

For sectors facing workforce shortages, such as the hospitality and restaurant industry and security, these events also present an opportunity to attract, train and retain new professionals.

Dedicated training organisations and programmes

In order to support the workforce involved in the preparation and organisation of the Olympic Games and the Rugby World Cup, several training organisations and programmes have been developed.

The Paris 2024 Academy, established by the organising committees of the Olympic Games, is a training body which supports the development of skills for all involved in the preparation and organisation of the Games: employees, volunteers and service providers.

In preparation of the Rugby World Cup 2023, a dedicated apprentice training centre Campus 2023 was inaugurated. In this centre, more than 2 000 young people will be trained for occupations in sports, tourism and security. Moreover, a new ad hoc diploma linked to skills needed for the administration and organisation of activities and events within sports structures, will be developed and registered.

The Ile-de-France Region, which is responsible for training jobseekers, has doubled the number of positions available in security training for 2023. With more than 5 000 places already planned for the first half of the year, they aim to meet the increased demand and provide ample training opportunities.

A strong social ambition

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have set strong requirements in terms of inclusiveness, outlined in a Social Charter. One particular focus is to guarantee that people with disabilities have access to employment through specific support mechanisms.

Finally, efforts are being made to provide employment opportunities to people who are outside the labour market, offering them now a chance to step into it again using the Games as a springboard to reconnect with employment.

Read more

• Recruitment platform dedicated to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• National EDEC agreement Major cultural and sporting events
• Academy 2024 training organisation       
• Campus 2023 apprentice training centre
• Social Charter and inclusive measures