Still looking for your contract for September? Good news: France's major groups have launched massive work-study campaigns for the 2026 school year, with several thousand positions to fill across the country.
In short: for September 2026, EDF plans to welcome 5,000 work-study trainees, La Poste 3,700, SNCF more than 2,000, and Carrefour has been recruiting across more than 300 occupations since 16 March 2026. These campaigns cover every level, from CAP to Bac+5, and applications are open now.
Who is recruiting apprentices for September 2026?
Four national campaigns stand out this year by their scale:
| Company | Announced volume | Occupations | Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 5,000 work-study trainees | 230 occupations (technical, sales, digital, support) | CAP to Bac+5 |
| La Poste | 3,700 work-study trainees | More than 180 occupations (mail-parcels, logistics, banking, digital, HR) | CAP to Bac+5 |
| SNCF | More than 2,000 apprentices (2026-2027) | Railway occupations (maintenance, traffic, train driving…) | CAP to Bac+5 |
| Carrefour | National campaign launched on 16 March 2026 | More than 300 occupations (retail, supply chain, data, HR, food trades) | CAP to Bac+5 |
"In 2026, EDF will welcome 5,000 work-study trainees into its teams," announces France Travail, which relays these campaigns through its "Jeudis de l'alternance" events.
And the list doesn't stop there: banks, insurers, manufacturers and public bodies also publish their offers on a rolling basis. Explore the available work-study offers to see who is hiring near you.
What profiles are these companies looking for?
Contrary to popular belief, these campaigns are not just for Bac+5 students. Every level is concerned, and the needs span very diverse families of occupations:
- Technical and industry: maintenance, electricity, railway operations, logistics;
- Sales and customer relations: retail, mass distribution, banking, consulting;
- Digital and data: development, cybersecurity, data analysis;
- Support functions: human resources, accounting, communications.
To find the field that suits you, browse our directory of work-study occupations: each page details the tasks, the diplomas prepared and the career prospects.
Why aim for a large group for your work-study contract?
Beyond the number of positions, large groups often offer a very supportive environment: trained mentors, onboarding programmes, apprentice networks and real prospects of permanent employment. EDF states, for example, that 60% of its young graduate hires come through work-study and internships.
On the employer side, the apprentice hiring aid (from €750 to €6,000 depending on company size and the diploma prepared, decree of 6 March 2026) continues to support these recruitments. For apprentices, other schemes exist: see our guide to financial aid for work-study.
How to apply right now?
- Target two or three companies and identify the offers that match your training programme.
- Personalise every application: a tailored CV, a letter that talks about the company, an up-to-date LinkedIn profile.
- Apply early: campaigns are open and positions are filled on a rolling basis until summer — and even beyond, since under an apprenticeship contract you can sign up to three months after classes start.
- Follow up systematically after ten to fifteen days without a reply.
For a complete method (networking, spontaneous applications, job fairs), re-read our guide to finding a company for your work-study contract. And before signing, estimate your future salary with the pay simulator — with the French SMIC revalued on 1 June 2026, the minima have gone up.
September 2026 looks dynamic for work-study programmes: with more than 10,000 positions at just four employers, now is the perfect time to land your contract.