Finding and Funding Agricultural Training Courses
Not mandatory for setting up, training is a key element for the success of an agricultural project, whether at its beginning, during, or even at its end. Yes! Because it covers technical topics, agro-environmental issues, but also marketing and management.
There are several ways to train with an accredited organization.
Diploma agricultural training
From middle school to higher education, there are many trainings. More information on the different diplomas here: https://educagri.fr/formations#moteur
In career change, the BPREA (Professional Certificate for Agricultural Business Manager) is the most recommended agricultural diploma lasting from 9 to 24 months (possibility of work-study). It allows you to reflect on your project while increasing technical skills and farm management.
More info: the CFPPA (Professional Training and Agricultural Promotion Center) of your department or :
Having a level 5 diploma (including BPREA) allows you to obtain the agricultural capacity, necessary to obtain public aid for those under 40 : the DJA.
Intermediate training
The specialization certificate (CS) is a 6-month training that allows the acquisition of specific marketable skills, with practical internships. Organic farming, machinery, beekeeping, poultry farming, marketing... Consult your departmental CFPPA.
Trainings "Creative farmers". Associations supporting peasant agriculture develop in some regions trainings lasting several months to build your agricultural project while creating a network and doing field internships (some ADEAR, CIVAM, CIAP, the Traveling Agroecology School...).
Short training
There are many organizations throughout France that organize trainings lasting from one to several days for farmers and project holders. Topics are varied, such as creating an agricultural business "from idea to project", initiating beekeeping, biodynamics, pruning, but also website creation, accounting, regulations…
There is no site listing them all but you can find some by contacting support structures in your department or among others by browsing :
- The regional site of your Inpact network (type "Inpact + your region name" in search engines)
- VIVEA (3-month outlook) : https://vivea.fr/formations
- Your Chamber of Agriculture
Online training
Short or long, many trainings exist today on the internet. While they cannot replace learning on the ground, they can be an accessible and interesting springboard for acquiring skills. Check beforehand the possibility to correspond with a trainer and to interact with a group of learners. Some platforms :
- The CFPPA (they offer BPREA remotely)
- Ver de Terre Production
- Agrilearn
How to finance
You are a farmer already contributing
When you have the social status of a farmer as your main (or secondary) occupation, MSA contributions include health insurance, work accidents, retirement… but also VIVEA. It is a training funding fund that allows access to many trainings. For this, the training center offering it must be accredited. Ask them (Chambers of Agriculture and agricultural associations often are). You have a balance of €2250 per year, take advantage of it!
You are a solidarity contributor. Depending on your declared area and hours to your MSA, you may or may not contribute to the agricultural training funding fund, VIVEA.
- Understand everything about the agricultural social status and SMA (Minimum Assessed Surfaces) (page coming) and Here.
- Access your personal VIVEA space to know your rights.
- VIVEA trainings (about 3 months visibility).
You can also request a tax credit when you go to training.
You are an agricultural project holder
There are several financing possibilities in this case, depending on your status and the type of training.
Regional professional training aids
You are a job seeker, you can probably finance your certified training via the Region, with rights maintained. More information from your training organization.
The PPP (Personalized Professional Pathway)
It is a scheme that allows benefiting from VIVEA funding (the farmers' funding fund). It is open to people with an advanced project reflection. It allows skill development through internships, diploma and/or short trainings.
Since January 2022, the PPP only finances trainings related to your project and on technical topics. And they are only covered if no other organization can (CPF, Pôle emploi…). A 21-hour internship is mandatory to complete your PPP. To open a PPP, your first contact is the PAI who will ask you to fill out a self-assessment.
More info on the PPP :
The CPF (Professional Training Account)
For your certified or diploma trainings. Each employed person funds their CPF each year. This funding can then be used (like a bank account) to finance trainings. To know your available amount and if your training is registered in the coverage directory, open your account on : [www.moncompteformation.gouv.fr].
If you are currently employed, you will mobilize a transition CPF.
Pôle emploi
You are registered with Pôle emploi (not necessarily receiving benefits) and you have an agricultural project, talk about it with your advisor. When you identify a training related to this project, ask the training center to send you a presentation brochure and detailed program. You present it to your advisor for preliminary approval. Then, the training center will indicate the procedure to follow. Allow at least 1 month before the training starts. More info on the Individual Training Aid (AIF).
In any case, your training is primarily financed by your CPF. If you do not have enough, your Pôle emploi will cover the remainder.
RSA beneficiaries : ADRE aids
You can benefit from an ADRE (Departmental Employment Return Aid) of up to €800 per year (and travel expenses). For this, ask for approval from your RSA referent (insertion advisor from the local social center or Pôle Emploi). Provide a bank account and a training quote.
Individual training aids for disabled persons
Several types of aids exist : job retention, employability retention, reactivation during a work stoppage, pre-qualifying training. More info : https://www.agefiph.fr/aides-handicap/inclupro-formation
