A new Analysis Note (n°223) from France’s Department of Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Sovereignty examines how vocational training supports career transitions into agriculture amid growing workforce renewal challenges. The study focuses on the Vocational Certificate in Farm Management (BPREA) offered by public agricultural training centres (CFPPA), which provide professional capacity and access to start-up aid for new farmers. Research shows that the program increasingly attracts individuals from non-agricultural backgrounds—employees, jobseekers, and professionals seeking more meaningful careers—reflecting a growing social and ecological revaluation of farming.

The analysis identifies three main trainee profiles — the “downgraded,” the “disenchanted,” and the “detached” — each bringing distinct motivations and challenges to their transition into farming. While obtaining the BPREA facilitates professional legitimacy and technical skills, barriers such as access to land, limited institutional support, and precarious employment often hinder immediate farm establishment. The report concludes that vocational agricultural training is more than a technical pathway; it serves as a bridge between diverse professional worlds, helping renew France’s agricultural workforce and fostering new forms of engagement with sustainable farming.

Link:
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/vocational-training-and-career-changes-towards-agriculture