Learning and professionalization contract: what differences?

Verified 17 February 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The apprenticeship contract and the professionalisation contract are employment contracts combining practical company training and theoretical training. Differences exist between these two contracts, in particular as regards the duration of the contract, the age or the remuneration of the beneficiary.

We present the main differences between these two contracts.

Tableau - Differences between apprenticeship contract and professionalization contract

Apprenticeship contract

Professionalization contract

Objective

Initial training

(diploma or professional qualification)

Continuing education

(professional qualification)

Contract Type

  • Limited Term Contract (CDL)
  • Contract of indefinite duration (CDI)
  • Fixed term contract (fixed term contract)
  • Contract of indefinite duration (CDI)

Duration of contract

Where the contract is of limited duration, its duration shall be Minimum 6 months to a maximum of 3 years.

The maximum duration of the contract may be increased to 4 years if the apprentice is in one of the following situations:

  • He's recognized handicapped worker
  • He is a top sportsman.
  • The duration of the contract shall be specified in an agreement annexed to the contract.

    If it is a CDD, the minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months.

    It may be extended to 36 months in certain situations.

    If it is a CDI, the professionalization action is at the start of the contract. Its minimum duration is between 6 and 12 months.

    It may be extended to 36 months in certain situations.

    Age requirements

    • From 16 to 29 years past (30 years minus 1 day)
    • Young 15 years old on condition that you have completed your year of 3e.
    • The age maximum may be raised to Up to 35 years (36 years minus 1 day) in the following cases:

    • The apprentice sign a new contract to attain a higher level of diploma than that already obtained.
    • The previous contract has been broken for reasons beyond his control, or for physical incapacity.
    • Then it must not flow more than 1 year between the 2 contracts.

      There's no pitch age limit if the apprentice is in one of the following situations:

    • He's recognized handicapped worker
    • It plans to set up or take over a company involving the completion of a diploma
    • He is a top sportsman
    • He does not obtain the diploma or professional title (maximum extension of 1 year).
    • From 16 to 25 years completed (26 years minus one day) to complete initial training
    • From 26 years and older for jobseekers
    • No age requirement for people who collect RSARSA : Income from active solidarity, theSSASSA : Specific solidarity allowance or theAAHAAH : Disabled adults' allowance and for persons leaving a single insertion contract (CUI)

    Training

    At a minimum 25% of the total duration of the contract

    150 hours minimum and between 15% and 25% of the total duration of the contract

    Remuneration

    Enter 27% and 100% of the SmicSmic : Minimum cross-industry growth wage depending on age and level of education, or the conventional minimum wage if more favorable

    Enter 55% and 100% of the SmicSmic : Minimum cross-industry growth wage according to age and level of education, or 85% the minimum remuneration provided for by the collective agreement or the company branch agreement if more favorable

    Aid for alternators

    • Adult apprentices can benefit from a State aid to finance their driving license B
    • Youth Mobility Aid is a conditional housing assistance for young people under the age of 30

    Youth Mobility Aid is a conditional housing assistance for young people under the age of 30

    Hiring aids

    It exists several aids

    It exists several aids

    You can use a simulator which makes it possible compare the annual wage cost of an alternate on the basis of either of these contracts:

    Calculate the annual salary cost of an alternant and the aids (apprenticeship or professionalization contract)