Top 10 In-Demand Skills in France

The employment sector in France is recovering from the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts forecast that employment opportunities in France will grow at a slightly higher pace than the EU-27 average. Within the period 2021 to 2035, the labor force in France is likely to increase by nearly 5.5%. This is due to a decline in the population aged 15-19 and 30-59 in France.

As per Skill Forecast Report, a total of 18,128,000 jobs are expected to be created at this time. Digging further, in these jobs mostly High-skilled non-manual occupations have the highest job openings (55%). Primarily, this is due to an aging and less skilled workforce. All this concludes the fact that France's job market has a lot to offer to skilled and young job seekers.

Which skills are in demand in France?

Currently, France is short of skilled people in 38 occupations. Plus, the labor market reports high demand for jobs like production & specialized services, business & administration professionals, and science & engineering professionals.

Let's see some of the most in demand skills in France.

1. Healthcare Service Skills

Despite having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, France is facing a significant shortage of healthcare workers. The primary reason for this is the growing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population. Additionally, the lack of skills and post-pandemic effects have further exacerbated the shortage. Experts estimate that 25,000 caregivers, including nurses, are needed just to fill vacant positions in hospitals.

As the country struggles to bridge the gaps in supply and demand for healthcare professionals, there is an increasing need for skilled workers. Consequently, healthcare skills like nursing have become some of the most sought-after in France in 2024.

2. Software Development Skills

The demand for software engineers in France is increasing rapidly. This is simply because France lacks skilled and young software developers to manage the software development needs. As the talent shortage is high, experts predict that in the next 5 years, the number of software engineer positions will increase 20%. With the number of job openings growing and the development process changing, software development is now one of most in demand skills in France.

3. AI Skills

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) market in France will grow a lot in the coming years. Forecasts show a 28.44% annual growth from 2024 to 2030 to reach US$23.88bn by 2030. This is due to country's commitment to integrate AI across all industries for innovation and efficiency. As the AI market grows, so does the need for AI skilled people in France. Therefore, France is looking for people skilled in AI to address the increasing demand for innovation.

The French government, as stated by its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is putting a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and the ethical use of AI, so talented people who are well-versed in both technical and ethical AI are needed. Therefore, AI is one of the skills that can be learned to secure a job in France.

4. Cybersecurity Skills

The European Union is facing a tech talent shortage and France is not spared, especially in cybersecurity. A study shows that more than 15,000 cybersecurity positions in France are open but not filled because of lack of skilled people. This cybersecurity expertise gap is a big challenge as the country is facing more and more cyber threats and needs to protect its digital infrastructure.

Guillaume Poupard, head of the French cybersecurity agency (ANSSI), told an International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC) in Lille that this is a major issue. He called it an "HR issue" that "is what is going to limit us in the years to come," so the lack of talent will slow down cybersecurity in the coming years.

5. Driving Skills

Europe is experiencing a massive truck driver shortage, which is affecting several countries. France has a shortage of 20,000 drivers, a number that shows how bad the road freight industry is hitting.

This driver shortage isn't limited to France or the Nordic region; it's a European wide issue, many countries are struggling to meet the growing demand for freight transport. The driver shortage is putting pressure on the supply chain, causing delays and higher logistics costs. With an aging workforce and fewer young people in this profession, the shortage will get worse in the coming years and will be a big challenge for road freight.

6. Finance Skills

Finance is yet another skill that France has a big shortage of. The shortage of finance professionals is due to the high demand for highly qualified staff. In fact, CEDEFOP lists finance as a shortage of skills. As per experts, the demand of Financing professionals is driven by the sector's growth despite the economic crisis and ongoing changes in financial activities.

The rise of online banking in France has led to a stronger emphasis on customer satisfaction, internal controls, risk assessment, activity management, and cost control. Additionally, financial institutions are increasingly focusing on providing expert advice and assessments to enhance their services. This has led to more and more young highly educated people being recruited in these professions. This demand for expertise in managing financial activities is why finance is considered a top skill to learn.

7. Teaching Skills

France has a teacher shortage, and 3,000 positions are unfilled as the new school term starts. This is not an isolated issue, staffing gaps across the country resulted in 15 million teaching hours lost in 2020-21.. To address this growing problem, the French education system will be recruiting more to fill the vacancies and ensure students get the education they need. With the demand for educators rising, teaching is a key area to focus on, a career with more opportunities for those who want to make a difference in the education sector.

8. Legal Skills

Another sector where France needs more workforce is the Legal sector. As per CEDEFOP, The growing demand from citizens (real estate, family law e.g. divorce, etc.) and internationalization of legal activities is main reason behind this. The complexity of the legal framework and the need for special and rigorous training (often a diploma or a competitive exam) is yet another big reason for this shortage of legislators and legal professionals. This makes legal skills one of the most in-demand skills in France’s job market.

9. Green Energy Engineering Skills

France is going green, and hydrogen is at the heart of the country's renewable energy plans. But labour shortages are holding back the sector. According to a recent report, the country will need over 100,000 workers in the hydrogen industry by 2030. Many positions are currently unfilled due to a lack of trained personnel, especially in engineering and project management.

Job offers in the hydrogen sector have risen 77% between 2019 and 2022. But existing training programmes have been deemed insufficient by hydrogen development companies which are making the shortage worse. Hence, Green Engineering yet another most sought after skill in France.

10. Sales and Marketing Skills

The advertising market in France has grown steadily over the years driven by increased digital ad spend. In 2023, the advertising market was worth around €17 billion, a big jump from previous years. This growth is due to the rise of digital platforms, especially social media and video content, which dominate ad spending. Programmatic advertising is also gaining traction, allowing advertisers to target their audience more effectively​.

But France has a big skill shortage affecting several key sectors including traditional advertising and digital media. Which is one the reasons why sales and marketing skills are so sough after in France.

How to Improve Your Skills for France's Job Market

The French government is very supportive of skill enhancement and makes it easier to enter the job market through certification. With the right qualifications, you can get jobs all over the country. Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions such as: 

• Pôle emploi: The partnership between Pôle emploi and OpenClassrooms offers online courses aimed at helping job seekers develop critical digital and IT skills. The courses are free for participants and cover areas such as web development, IT support, and data analysis. Learners receive structured guidance from mentors and can earn professional certifications upon course completion. These programs are ideal for individuals looking to enter or advance in high-demand tech fields.

• AFPA: AFPA offers an impressive range of over 1,369 courses, spanning various fields such as construction, industrial maintenance, logistics, and personal services. These programs are designed to help individuals gain the skills they need to enter or advance in their chosen professions. 

• CNAM: Another excellent resource for professional training in France is CNAM (Conservatoire national des arts et métiers). CNAM offers a wide variety of continuing education courses, specializing in technical, scientific, and managerial fields. Whether you're looking to pursue a degree, improve your skills, or switch careers, CNAM provides flexible options with online and in-person courses. Their programs cover areas like engineering, IT, finance, and management, helping individuals boost their qualifications for the job market.

• GRETA: GRETA (Groupes d'Établissements de Formation des Adultes) offers vocational training in various fields, including programs for rare professions. This ensures that individuals can acquire specialized skills needed for unique career paths, aligning training with specific workforce demands. GRETA's focus on practical skills helps enhance employability and supports career development across diverse sectors.

• CFA: CFA Institute offers a range of online courses designed to enhance knowledge and skills in finance and investment management. These courses cover various topics, including ethical and professional standards, portfolio management, and financial analysis. 

These institutions offer specialized programs that provide the skills and certification for various careers in France.

Conclusion

In France, upskilling is key to staying ahead in the job market, especially with the rise of AI and automation. Boosting your productivity skills and mastering AI technologies will get you employed and thriving in the workforce. Hands on training and specialized education from reputable institutions will increase your chances of getting jobs in top companies in France.

Skills like AI, green engineering, cybersecurity, teaching, and healthcare are key to career progression in a country like France. Vocational training programmers offer industry relevant, hands on education to meet these evolving demands and make you more employable in a fast changing workforce.

For businesses seeking a dependable partner in skill development, Edstellar stands out as the ideal choice. Their industry-focused training programs ensure your team stays ahead of the competition. Choose Edstellar for well-designed courses and an engaging learning experience, along with tools like the Skill Matrix for gap analysis .