Training after a PSE: CPF, AIF, ARE Formation — the complete guide
A redundancy is rarely a project in itself, but it is almost always an opportunity to retrain. France has a particularly rich funding ecosystem — provided you know how to put the pieces together. Here are the four main schemes and how to combine them.
An overview of the funding options
| Scheme | Who funds it | Ceiling | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation, Personal Training Account) | Employer contributions | ~€5,000 (variable) | Any working person |
| AIF (Aide Individuelle à la Formation, Individual Training Allowance) | France Travail | Varies by project | Jobseekers + CSP beneficiaries |
| CSP funding | France Travail | €5,000 | CSP members |
| ARE Formation | Unédic | ARE maintained | Jobseekers in approved training |
1. The CPF: your portable capital
The CPF is credited each year based on your salaried activity. It is kept after a dismissal and remains available throughout your working life. To check and use it: moncompteformation.gouv.fr.
The CPF covers certifying training programmes listed in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP) or the Specific Directory (RS). This includes: State diplomas, professional titles, and skills certifications (office software, languages, digital marketing, coding, design, etc.).
Tip: since 2025, a flat-rate user contribution (€100) applies to most CPF training programmes that are not tied to a project validated by France Travail. This contribution is waived if the training is part of a project validated by your adviser.
2. The AIF: the natural complement to the CPF
The Individual Training Allowance (AIF) is paid by France Travail to jobseekers (and CSP members) when the CPF does not cover the full cost of tuition.
Conditions:
- Be registered as a jobseeker or be a CSP beneficiary;
- Have a Personalised Plan for Access to Employment (PPAE) validated by your adviser;
- Demonstrate the consistency between the training and your career plan.
The classic arrangement: the CPF is drawn on first, with the AIF as a top-up. France Travail funds the "remaining balance".
3. CSP funding: if you accepted the CSP
If you signed up for the Professional Security Contract (Contrat de Sécurisation Professionnelle), you benefit from a dedicated training budget: up to €5,000 funded by France Travail, which can be topped up by your CPF or by the AIF.
The major advantage of the CSP: your dedicated adviser supports you in identifying the most relevant training, and prioritisation is faster — less waiting in validation queues.
4. ARE Formation: keeping your benefits
If you take part in training validated by France Travail, your unemployment benefits are maintained under the name ARE Formation. The amount is the same as your usual ARE. For CSP members, the ASP continues at 75% during the training, within the 12-month limit of the contract.
Important: the training must be approved (validated by your adviser within the PPAE). Training undertaken "outside the PPAE" does not entitle you to ARE Formation.
How to choose your training: 4 practical criteria
- Recognised certification (RNCP / RS) — otherwise no CPF funding is possible;
- Alignment with a growing sector — France Travail publishes each year the list of in-demand occupations by employment area;
- Format (in-person vs remote) — remote learning often makes it possible to combine training with one-off assignments;
- Duration vs funding — for a complete career change, aim for a long programme (6-18 months) co-funded by several schemes.
Steps to activate your funding
- Register with France Travail as soon as your contract ends (or when you accept the CSP);
- Book an appointment with your adviser within 30 days;
- Define your PPAE (career plan);
- Identify a target training programme that is certifying;
- Set up the financial arrangement (CPF + AIF + ARE/ASP);
- Start the training.
The special case of older workers (≥ 55 years)
If you are 55 or older on the date of dismissal, some PSE plans provide a specific end-of-career leave scheme or a phased early retirement arrangement. A landmark case: Ford Blanquefort 2019, where 300 to 400 employees (average age 51) moved into early retirement.
In summary
- The CPF is your base capital. Keep it, use it;
- The AIF is your top-up when the CPF is not enough;
- ARE / ASP Formation keeps your income going during the training;
- A well-built plan with your France Travail adviser unlocks the whole package.
For each PSE, OpenRecourse references the "training budget" component whenever that information is public. Check your company's profile to compare.