Vocational certification : How the social partners contribute to developing the supply

Vocational certification procedures in France cover a wide and varied spectrum, ranging from state educational diplomas to homologated qualifications and vocational qualification certificates. Although the social partners are far from taking a back seat in the decision-making processes shaping the structure and content of the certification supply, their role varies considerably from one segment of this supply to another. In keeping with the policy of concertation adopted by the French State, the social partners are involved in every stage in the development of national certification procedures, but when it comes to branch certification matters, they are completely in command. In fact, the social partners are at the crux of an important issue in the field of certification: ensuring that the value of qualifications obtained on these lines and the specificities involved in each particular case will be properly recognized in occupational spheres.