For anyone who is currently working, continuing education is the ideal way to build new skills, advance in one’s career, and stay up to date with emerging professions, tools, and methods—especially in areas tied to the ecological or energy transition.
Maybe you already knew this (we love to remind people!), but employees, public sector agents (at both state and local levels), business leaders, freelancers, and individuals undergoing a career transition all have rights and access to continuing professional education—and some forms of funding to support it. Let’s shed some light on that.
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The 2018 law on “freedom to choose one’s professional future” provides every employee, business, and self-employed worker access to a wide range of training systems.
One of them is the “Skills Development Plan,” which each company can use to help its employees adapt to their current roles or maintain their employability.
Far from being just financial backers, the OPCOs—Opérateurs de Compétences, or Skill Operators—are key partners for both companies and workers when it comes to training.
They inform businesses and their employees—particularly small and medium-sized companies, independent professionals, and freelancers—about how to access continuing education.
They help companies assess and define their training needs, especially in light of economic and technological changes in their industry.
They fund training programs through various resources.
They conduct forward-looking research on emerging trends and needs within industry sectors—like the study from OPCO Atlas titled “Ecological Transition: How to Act on Skills in the Financial Services and Consulting Sectors?”
The 2021 Climate and Resilience Law assigned OPCOs a new mission: “to inform companies about sustainable development challenges and support their adaptation efforts through the assessment and identification of their skill needs,” as highlighted by France Stratégie.
Because of this, ecological and energy transition have been set as priority areas, and therefore, awareness campaigns and training efforts on these topics receive additional funding and support.
So then, the big question: How can companies actually finance their employees’ training in these areas?
Heads up—spoiler alert! This list isn’t exhaustive, as some programs evolve. But here’s a solid overview of what’s available.
Your local OPCO advisor should be your first stop—your primary contact for building your funding plan.
They’re your go-to partner. First step? Get in touch with your local OPCO advisor and share your training goals. They’ll guide you through the various programs available.
Branch-Specific Funds: Each professional sector has its own training support mechanisms. Training tied to ecological transition often benefits from additional coverage. The level and conditions of this funding vary by sector and company size.
Want to roll out awareness programs like La Fresque du Climat or 2tonnes ? Or invest in upskilling courses like Thermal Insulation for Industrial Processes or Climate Risk Adaptation, HazClim? Reach out—we’d love to talk.
If you’re an industrial company, OPCO 2i has clear, simple explanations on their website.
Maybe you’re seeing new job roles emerge or facing skill gaps or restructuring?
OPCO 2i has launched the “2i Green Skills Diagnosis” program.
In three steps, consultants work with you to assess HR needs based on your ecological transition goals—covering jobs, skills, training—and help you move into action.
Rong Yi is an approved provider under this program.
The 2025 European Social Fund helps industrial companies meet training needs tied to digital and ecological transformation strategies.
Its goal is to support employees who are most at risk due to these transitions. All training programs that aid adaptation are eligible. The ESF covers 50% of training costs.
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PACTE Industrie (Support Path and Skills for the Energy Transition in Industry) is funded by Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) and led by ATEE and ADEME. OPCO 2i is a program partner.
It targets not just energy managers, but also company leaders and CFOs—key players in change. The program adapts to each company’s maturity level on decarbonization.
It has 3 focus areas:
Energy Management
Decarbonization Strategy
Project Financing (Energy Efficiency, Energy Mix)
More on PACTE Industrie:
General article
Focus on Energy Management and regulatory update
Rong Yi is a listed expert for Decarbonization Strategy and Project Financing, and partners with Smart Montagne, the expert on Energy Management.
Got questions about energy consumption reduction, efficiency, decarbonization, heat recovery?
The Energy Management track is designed for you.
It helps structure your energy efficiency and low-carbon strategy to reduce energy usage, costs, and environmental impact. Trainings include PROREFEI, designed for energy managers.
Looking to build a low-carbon strategy and rally stakeholders?
Then Decarbonization Strategy is key.
You can train one or more employees in the ACT Step-by-Step methodology—with up to 80% coverage. This training is essential for launching your climate strategy.
Money plays a critical role in ecological transition and day-to-day business life.
Analyzing the financial and non-financial ROI of a project is often key to success. Want to invest now to stay competitive later?
There are innovative financing options out there—third-party investors, grants, etc.
The Project Financing track offers training on how to fund low-carbon and energy-saving investment projects.
No matter your starting point, reach out and let’s talk about your project.
If your company has a dedicated annual or multi-year training budget, those funds can complement the subsidies and grants mentioned above.
In six French regions (Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and PACA), industrial zones face major challenges in shifting toward a greener, more sustainable economy. This means deep changes in high-emission sectors like coking, refining, chemicals, metallurgy, energy production…
The Just Transition Fund (JTF) was created in this context. All training programs are eligible—except mandatory safety training and in-house programs.
Learn more about the JTF.
One final note: for your training to be eligible for OPCO or ESF funding, it must be delivered by a Qualiopi-certified training organization.
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