FRANCE A Few Words About the Countryportal.tee.gr/.../ENG_MOBILITY/FRANCE.pdf · FRANCE A Few Words About the Country The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and champagne are just few of the

TECHNICAL CHAMBER OF GREECE MOBILITY FOR ENGINEERS SECTION OF CENTRAL MACEDONIA 2003-2004

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FRANCE

A Few Words About the Country

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and champagne are just few of the world-renowned symbols

of France. While known for its art and culture, at the same time France ranks among the

top global economic powers. It has a strong agriculture sector, with great grain and wine

production. In manufacturing, France holds number four position globally, exporting

advanced technology products, the result of its active research and development in fields

such as space science, transport, electronics and chemistry. [1]

The country has an area of 555,602 square kilometres and 58.4 million inhabitants.

French is the official language, with several minority languages such as Basque, Breton,

Alsatian and Aquitaine, which are spoken locally.

Paris is the capital and seat of the national government. Other major cities include Lyon,

Marseille and Lille. The country’s population is not distributed evenly, as it features

densely populated urban areas and a sparsely populated countryside. [2]

On 1 January 2002 France adopted the euro (EUR) as its currency.

The form of government is Representative Democracy, with a President of State, and a

prime minister heading the government. Legislative authority is exercised by the

Parlement, consisting of a Senate and a National Assembly. Regional and local

government include 21 Regions ruled by elected Regional Councils; 95 electoral

Departments, each ruled by a General Council; and 324 Counties (Arrondissements). [3]

The judicial system includes several types of courts depending on the case and the

parties involved. All civil cases are in the jurisdiction of the Courts of First Instance and

the Courts of Grand Instance. The Appeals Courts adjudicate appeals against the

decisions of the lower courts. The Supreme Court adjudicates higher appeals against the

decisions of the Appeals Courts. [3]

In France climate varies greatly depending on geophysical conditions. The southeastern

zone is affected by the Mediterranean Sea while the western zone is exposed to the

moist and mild winds prevailing in the Atlantic Ocean. Climate in the country’s interior is

continental, with great variations among the regions. [4]


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Large urban centres enjoy many cultural activities. Theatre, ballet and opera are

important features of French cultural life.

Living Conditions and Quality of Life

Cost of living

The cost of life varies regionally. It is higher in Paris, in the other urban centres, and in

tourist areas, than it is at the periphery. A university student will need about EUR 700 –

900 per month on average. [4]

Finding a house or room

A rental house or room may be found through the classified advertisements in the local

press or in weekly magazines. Helpful information is often provided by municipalities and

employers. There are also housing agencies that charge for their services. [3] [6]

Useful web addresses:

www.adele.org, www.service-public.fr, www.creditfoncier.fr/

Language Education

It is useful to learn French before you actually go live in France. There are French

Cultural Centres (Centres culturels français) and local French Institutes (Instituts français)

which offer language examinations leading to language certificates such as the certificat

pratique de langue française, the DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) and the

DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française). [4]

There are many private and public schools and universities where one can learn French.

The national centre for distance learning offers foreign language courses by

correspondence. [5]

National Centre for Distance Learning, Centre national d'enseignement à distance

http://www.cned.fr/index4.htm

The website of the French foreign ministry includes a catalogue with French language

centres

http://www.diplomatie.fr/venir/languef/fle/index.html

The organisations below offer useful information in their websites:


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• Centre International d'Études Pédagogiques - CIEP, http://www.ciep.fr/

• Centre fle.fr Fédération, http://www.fle.fr/index.html

• Groupement professionnel des organismes d'enseignement du français

langue étrangère - SOUFFLE, http://www.souffle.asso.fr/

Students will find much help in the manual "Je vais en France" published annually by

CNOUS – the Centre national des oeuvres universitaires et scolaires, www.cnous.fr

which offers practical information about life in France (living cost, housing, procedures et

al.) [5]

Education

Pre-school or kindergarden (Εcole maternelle) is optional. Public kindergardens are free

of charge for children 2.5 to 6 years old.

Compulsory education is free for all children aged 6 to 16. It includes primary education

and the first cycle of secondary education, known as collège. [3]

Secondary education consists of two successive cycles, the collège (4 years) and the

lycée (3 years). At the lycée each pupil chooses and pursues one of three alternative

orientations—general, technological, or professional. At the end the pupil is awarded a

baccalauréat for the orientation selected (baccalauréat général, baccalauréat

technologique, baccalauréat professionnel), which are necessary if the pupil wishes to

continue with tertiary or higher education. [3]

In all French regions, the municipal authorities are in charge of enrolling children in pre-

schools and primary schools. The municipalities also provide information regarding

enrolment in secondary education. [3]

Useful information is available in the French civil service website: portail de

l'administration française, http://www.service-public.fr/

The majority of schools are public. Private schools are largely parochial.

The school year starts in early September and extends over 36 weeks. Pupils have to

enrol no later than June for the next school year. [3]

The French ministry of education website posts a lot of information concerning pupil

enrolment, including lists of all the different schools and tiers in all regions, the times of


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school vacations, and other necessary information concerning educational procedures in

France.

• Ministry of Youth, National Education and Research, Ministère de la

jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche

http://www.education.gouv.fr/index.php

Useful links are available at:

• portail de l'éducation http://www.education.fr/page.php?P=data/accueil/

• rubriques de la jeunesse http://www.education.gouv.fr/jeunesse/default.htm

Working Conditions

Obtaining work

In order to search for work, one has the following options:

To communicate with the public employment agency ANPE (Agence Nationale pour L'Emploi) at

http://www.anpe.fr/index.jsp which can offer advice on hiring and occupational training services. [7]

To visit the websites of the following organisations:

Association pour l'Emploi des Cadres (APEC) http://www.apec.fr/

• The French Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity (Ministère des

affaires sociales, du travail et de la solidarité) http://www.travail.gouv.fr/

• National Office for Information on Studies and Professions (ONISEP, Office

National d'Information sur les Etudes et les Professions) http://www.onisep.fr/

• Centre for Youth Information and Documentation (CIDJ, Centre d’Information

Documentation Jeunesse) (http://www.cidj.com)

3. To check work offers in newspapers and specialised magazines that publish classified

advertisements for specific fields of occupation (these publications are available on a regular basis in

the main public libraries). [3]

L'Express (weekly) http://www.lexpress.fr/express/

Le Figaro (Mondays and Tuesdays) http://www.lefigaro.fr/

Le Monde (Mondays and Tuesdays) http://www.lemonde.fr/


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One can also obtain information on jobs, living and working conditions, and links to other

useful information by visiting the EURES website at http://europa.eu.int/eures. The site

allows users to post their curriculum vitae which can then be reviewed by prospective

employers all over Europe. [3]

Hiring

To be hired, a candidate needs to pass a written examination and an interview.

In SMEs, hiring is often done by the company manager. In larger companies hiring is

usually the responsibility of the personnel department, often in collaboration of a

specialist from the department requesting the new worker.

High-Demand Specialties

France ranks among world leaders in telemedicine and consumer goods production. [1]

There are several occupations that offer good employment opportunities: journalists, graphic artists,

banking consultants, construction engineers, environmental engineers and lawyers, and all

occupations dealing with multimedia and computer networks. Occupation is also available in transport,

air transport, the civil service (where the demand is mostly for manager-level personnel),

communications, computers, banks, insurance and different areas of research. [8]

Unemployment Rates

Unemployment in France stands at an overall 9.5 percent, holding number two position among EU

countries after Spain with 11.2 percent. The Netherlands holds the lowest position at 4.2 percent. [9]

Table 1 below includes data pertaining to the above publication.


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Table 1

Country Unemployment

rate in 2002

Long term unemployment

rate in 2002

Age 15-25 unemployment

rate in 2002

Spain 11.2 40.2 22.4

France 9.5 33.8 20.5

Germany 9.4 47.9 10.1

Italy 8.5 59.2 27

Belgium 8 49.6 19

Portugal 7.4 35.5 15.2

Sweden 5 21 12.4

United Kingdom 5 23.1 12.6

Netherlands 4.2 26.7 7.6

The graph below indicates unemployment figures in the European Union member-States as a function

of the workers’ educational level:

[ υποχρεωτική : compulsory education

δευτεροβάθµια : secondary education

επαγγελµατική : professional education

τριτοβάθµια : higher education ]


7

0

5

10

15

20

Denmark

German

y

Greece

France

Austria

Portug

al

Finlan

dSpa

in

Sweden

υποχρεωτικήδευτεροβάθµιαεπαγγελµατικήτριτοβάθµια

Unemployment is highest among compulsory education graduates, at about 17 percent, followed in

declining order by secondary education graduates at about 11 percent, professional education

graduates (post-secondary education) with 7 percent, while the graduates of higher education follow

closely behind the former with 6.5 percent. This last percentage is significantly higher than the EU

average, where generally speaking the unemployment rate among graduates of higher education is

below 5 percent—with the exceptions of Spain and Greece. [10]

Unemployment among engineers reached 4.1 percent in 2002, and the average time needed for an

engineer to find work is three months. [11]

Unemployment, and Unemployment Benefits

Before a citizen of a EU member-State seeks employment in France, she or he must first obtain and

fill Form E301, available at the respective government agency in her or his country of origin. Form

E301 lists the time periods under unemployment benefits, and is useful both to the applying person

and also to the competent French authorities. [3]

European Union policy on unemployment benefits stipulates that those benefits are payable by the

country where the person had been employed at the time she or he became unemployed.

In order for any worker to enjoy unemployment benefits in France, she or he must have worked in the

country, even for one day.

Unemployment benefits are calculated on the basis of French salaries, provided the person has

worked in France during her or his last four weeks of work, otherwise the benefits are calculated using

a reference figure. [3]

The procedure for receiving unemployment benefits varies depending on the following factors:

Ι. When the worker is seeking employment in France, while before that she or he was receiving

unemployment benefits in another EU member-State, in which case she or he must:


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Request Form E303 from the authority that was paying her or his unemployment benefits.

Register as employment candidate with the competent French authorities (ASSEDIC, ANPE) within 7

days from the time she or he was taken off the employment lists of the country where she or he used

to work.

Under the clause above, the person is entitled to unemployment benefits for a period not over three

months, also provided that the French authorities don’t require the person to leave the country at the

end of four weeks. After the three-month period, the person must return to her or his country of origin,

if she or he wishes to continue receiving unemployment benefits within the time limits of her or his

entitlement. If the person does not return to her or his country of origin, she or he will no longer qualify

for unemployment benefits, except in the case of special national benefits. [3]

ΙΙ. When the worker loses her or his job in France.

In order to become eligible for unemployment benefits in this case the person must register with the

competent French authorities (ASSEDIC, ANPE). ASSEDIC will pay unemployment benefits provided

that certain requirements are met (6 months of full time employment in the 18 months before the job

loss).

If during the time that a person is receiving unemployment benefits from France she or he seeks work

in another European Union member-State, the person must obtain Form E303 from ASSEDIC in order

to continue receiving unemployment benefits for three months from her or his destination country.

If a person has lost her or his job in France and wishes to seek employment in another European

Union country, and not register as seeking employment in France, she or he should obtain Form E301

from the French labour inspectorate. This Form E301 allows the labour inspectorate of the country

where the person wishes to work, to take into account the person’s working time in France in

calculating her or his benefits. [3]

ΙΙΙ. When the worker resigns her or his job in order to follow her or his partner who has obtained work

in France.

In that case the resignation is considered valid by the competent French authority, and the applicant

may be granted unemployment benefits, provided she or he has worked in France for no less than one

day, and that her or his previous contributions are adequate. In this case as well, the workers must

obtain Form E301, filled by the competent authority in the European Union member-State where the

person had worked before her or his arrival in France. [3]

Useful information is available in the websites of the following organisations:

ASSEDIC : Association for Employment in Industry and Commerce, Association pour l’emploi dans

l’Industrie et le Commerce, www.assedic.fr/


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• National Agency for Employment, Agence nationale poul l’emploi (ANPE) www.anpe.fr

Workers’ Rights

Working Hours

In order to combat unemployment, the French government is applying a 35-hour week for certain

categories of workers.

The average number of working hours per week is 38.9 in France, placing it in the lowest position

among all European Union Countries. The United Kingdom has top position with 43.9 working hours

per week. [9] Table 3 below includes detail data from the above publication.


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Table 3

Country Working hours per week in 2002

UK 43.9

Portugal 41.9

Spain 41.8

Germany 41.4

Belgium 41.4

Sweden 41

Netherlands 40.7

Italy 40.5

France 38.9

Salaries and Wages

Salaries are usually paid on a monthly basis, but there are some occupations (e.g. in construction)

where the pay is in the form of an hourly wage. The amount is negotiated freely between employer

and worker, provided the employer abides by relevant laws (e.g. to respect minimum wage,

occupational rank, overtime et al.) [3]

In 2000 the minimum monthly salary in France was EUR 1,154, while the average salary in the same

year was EUR 2,162 [9]

Table 4 that follows includes data from the above publication.


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Table 4

Country Minimum Wage in 2000 EUR Average Wage in 2000 EUR

UK 1,105 3,049

Belgium 1,163 2,746

France 1,154 2,162

The Netherlands 1,105 2,285

Spain 526 1,234

Portugal 416 645

Germany (data unavailable) 2,734

Sweden (data unavailable) 2,624

Holidays

In 2004 the number of official holidays in France was 13 days.

Leave

Workers are entitled to regular leave amounting to 2.5 days per month from the first month of

work. The number of regular leave days per year is 30. [3]

Useful information concerning the rights of workers is available from:

• The companies’ personnel representatives

• The labour association or union

• The Ministry of Labour, Emploi du Ministère du Travail, tel. no. 0 825 347 347 (0.15 EUR /

minute)

• At the direction départementale du travail, de l'emploi et de la formation professionnelle

(DDTEFP),


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Engineers’ and Architects’ Associations (Organizations, Chambers )

Engineering Education Committee,

CEFI, Comité d’etudes sur les formations d’ingénieurs 7, rue Lamennais

75008 Paris

tel: 01 42 89 15 73

www.cefi.org

The Engineering Education Committee CEFI specializes in matters concerning employment, and

offers information on engineering education (engineering schools throughout France). [12]

Federation of Engineering Universities

FESIC, Fédération d’écoles supérieures d’ingénieurs et de cadres

35, rue de la Bienfaisance

75008 Paris

Tel: 01 53 77 22 39

www.fesic.asso.fr

FESIC is a federation of 25 private engineering schools. [12]

CONFERENCE DES GRANDES ECOLES

60, bd Saint Michel

75272 PARIS CEDEX 06

Tel: 01 46 34 08 42, 01 43 26 25 57

www.cge.asso.fr/

The Conference des Grandes Écoles is a non-profit association founded in 1973. It has a total of 215

member schools, of which 180 are French Universities, 10 are foreign Universities, and 25 are other

foreign institutes and organisations of higher education. The Conference is a source of information on

higher studies. [12]


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National Council of Engineers and Scientists of France

CNISF, Conseil national des ingénieurs et des scientifiques de France

7, rue Lamennais

75008 PARIS

Tel: 01 44 13 66 88

www.cnisf.org

The National Council of Engineers and Scientists of France represents the entire community of

engineers in the country. It publishes a journal called “ID” and an annual report on the economic and

social status of engineers in France. [12]

CEDI EMPLOI

7 rue Lamennais

75008 – PARIS

Tel: 01 44 13 66 89

Counsel engineers on matters relating to employment, and offers legal and technical advice. [12]

French Building Construction Federation

FFB, Fédération Française du Bâtiment

33 avenue Kléber – 75784 Paris Cedex 16

Tel: 33(1) 40 69 51 00

www.ffbatiment.fr

The FFB represents 54,000 building construction companies, and in effect all construction projects.

The Federation is organized in Regional and Departmental Associations. It has an active role in

studying and determining national economic policy. Its research and information activities offer

important help to its members relating to quality control and the choice of technological solutions. [13]


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National Public Works Federation

FNTP, Fédération Nationale de Travaux Publics

3 rue de Berri – 75008 PARIS

Tel: 01 44 13 31 44

www.fntp.fr

The national register of contractors entitled to undertake public projects, also offering advice and

information on public works. [14]

Association of French International Contractors

SEFI, Entrepreneurs Français Internationaux

10, rue Washington

75008 PARIS - FRANCE

Tél : 33 (0)1 58 56 44 00

Fax : 33 (0)1 58 56 44 19

SEFI member companies undertake all types of construction (structures and infrastructure) including

engineering and related services. These are mostly large companies specializing in project design,

construction and operation, and also in contracting. [15]

SYNTEC-INGENIERIE

www.syntec-ingenierie.fr

This is an association of engineering companies working in design, consulting, testing

and inspection. The association’s basic objectives are to represent its member

companies in labour relations, and to respond to selected questions from its members. Its

principal goals are to protect its members and contribute to their progress, to promote the

collective interests of its members, to advance engineering design and offer advice on

engineering matters. [16]

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTS

CONSEIL NATIONAL DE L’ORDRE DES ARCHITECTES


15

9, rue Borromèe

75015 – PARIS

Tél : 01 56 58 67 00

www.architectes.org

The National Council of Architects is a private association whose principal objective is to

safeguard public interest. It is supervised by the French ministry of Culture. It consists of

26 Regional Councils, which in turn comprise the National Council. The Regional

Councils are in effect the boards where all Architects need to register in order to be

licensed to practice. [17] [18]

FRENCH MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

MINISTÈRE DE LA CULTURE ET DE LA COMMUNICATION

Architecture Directorate

Sub-Directorate for Teaching and Research

8, rue Vivienne

75002 – PARIS

Tél : 01 40 15 32 57/58, 01 40 15 32 62

www.archi.fr

This is a Ministry of Culture Department offering information on the accreditation and

equivalence of French and other Architecture diplomas. [17]

ARCHITECTURE ACADEMY

ACADÉMIE D’ARCHITECTURE

9, place des Vosges

75004 – PARIS


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Tél : 01 48 87 83 10

www.archi.fr/AA

The Mission of the Architecture Academy is to assure the promotion of the Architect’s

profession. [17]

FRENCH ARCHITECTURE INSTITUTE

INSTITUT FRANCAIS D’ARCHITECTURE (IFA)

6, rue de Tournon

75006 – PARIS

Tél : 01 46 33 90 36

www.archi.fr/IFA

The French Architecture Institute concerns itself mostly with modern architecture. The

Institute organizes seminars, shows, trips and conferences. [17]

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF ARCHITECTS

UNION INTERNATIONALE DES ARCHITECTES (UIA)

51, rue Raynouard

75016 – PARIS

Tél : 01 45 24 36 88

www.uia-architects.org

Provides information and counselling on international architecture competitions.

Publishes “Architecture Schools in the World” which includes a catalogue with all

architecture schools globally. [17]


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Engineering Studies – Diplomas – Specializations

In France the engineering curriculum is taught in the context of science education.

Engineering curricula are taught by the Engineering Universities (Grandes Ecoles

d'Ingénieurs), involve five years of studies and lead to a Diploma in Engineering. The

Engineering Universities admit candidates on the basis of the person’s record, or an

examination. [19]

In France there are over two hundred Engineering Schools, public and private together,

They submit to evaluation by one organization which consists of representatives of

academia, industry, and the Engineers Licensing Committee CTI, Commission des Titres

d' Ingénieurs, http://www.commissioncti.fr/site_flash/fr/index_flash.htm

There are twenty Universities offering engineering specialization, and also a few special

engineering departments awarding Engineering Specialization diplomas. [19]

For information look up "Engineering Education in France" published by the Engineering

Education Committee, Comité d'Etudes sur les Formations d' Ingénieurs,

http://www.cefi.org/)

Interesting information on engineering studies and curricula may also be found in:

• The Conference of Higher Universities CGE - Conférence des Grandes Écoles

(www.cge.asso.fr/)

• The Conference of Engineering Education Directors CDEFI - Conférence des

Directeurs d' Ecoles et Formations d' Ingénieurs

License to Practice, Licensing Boards, Licensing Procedures The graduates of engineering Universities are absolutely free to practice within the limits established

by applicable French laws. [2] [20] [21].

Diploma Recognition and Equivalence In France engineering is not one of the legally regulated professions. An engineering

degree is recognised when its owner has the qualifications (University diploma,

professional license) that allow her or him to practice engineering in her or his country of

origin. [2]


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The candidate should submit a folder with an application for degree recognition and her

or his diplomas, translated, to the competent ministry of Education agency, which has to

respond within four months. [2] [3]

Ministère de l'Education nationale - Délégation aux relations internationales et à la

coopération

Claudine LAMIRAL, responsable NARIC Enseignement supérieur

MEN DRIC B4

4, Rue Danton

F-75006Paris

Tel: +33-1-55.55.04.29

Fax: +33-1-55.55.04.23

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.education.gouv.fr/sup/default.htm

Architecture

Education, Diplomas The Architecture Diploma curriculum is six years.

In France there are 20 Architecture Schools, public and private together, operating under

a variety of regimes. They are under the authority of the French ministry of Culture: [22]

20 ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS IN FRANCE

Paris-Belleville

Paris-Malaquais

Marne-La Vallée

Paris-Val de Seine

Versailles

Paris-La Villette

Bordeaux

Bretagne

Clermont-Ferrand

Grenoble

Languedoc-Roussillon

Lille et Régions Nord

Lyon

Marseille-Luminy

Nancy

Nantes

Normandie

Saint-Etienne

Strasbourg

Toulouse


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License to Practice, Licensing Boards, Licensing Procedures The Board of Architects (Ordre des architectes) is an agency where all architects must

register in order to enjoy the right to practice. The Board of Architects was founded in 1977

(Legislative Decree of 28 December 1977). The decree specifies the operation of the

Regional Councils and the dues payable by registered architects. Another law (77-2 / 03

January 1977) specifies the professional rights and obligations of architects. [18]

Out of a total 48,000 graduate architects in France, 28,000 are registered at the Board of

Architects, where the age and work distribution is as follows: 25 percent are under 40 years

old, 63 percent are 40 to 60 years old; 70 percent are in private practice engaged in private

projects (design, supervision, construction) and 23 percent are engaged in public works. [23]

Architects who are licensed to practice in a EU member-State other than France are subject

to the following conditions: Although they don’t need to be registered with the Board of

Architects, they must submit an application statement to the Regional Council of the Order of

Architects (Conseil régional de l'Ordre) in the region where they wish to offer architecture

services. The application statement must be registered and must also include the following

documents:

• The original or a duly validated photocopy of the diploma, certificate of other title

that allows the holder to practice architecture according to French law.

• Passport or other identity (validated photocopy)

• A project statement that includes the location, name and coordinator of the project

owner, estimated time for design, amount of work, and a statement issued by the

competent agency or chamber of the applicant architect’s country of origin,

attesting that the architect is in good standing and not in violation of the applicable

professional code of practice and code of ethics.

• A certificate to the effect that the applicant architect submits to the insurance

regulations stipulating her or his professional responsibility under French law.

All documents should be translated into French by an official translator, and submitted no

later than one year after the official issue date of each document. The architect must submit

to a code of practice that is obligatory for all members of the Board of Architects. If the

architect is ever found delinquent under the Board’s code, she or he will be brought before


20

the local Rules Committee. Additional information is available from the international service of

the Board of Architects, Service international du Conseil national de l'Ordre des Architectes,

www.architectes.org [18]

Diploma Recognition and Equivalence In France architecture is a legally regulated profession (Directive 85/384 / 10 June 85 of

the EEC, Directive 2001/19 of the EC).

An architecture diploma may be recognized in accordance to one of the cases-

procedures below:

1. When the architecture school where the candidate has obtained her / his degree

is already recognized by France, no recognition procedure is necessary.

2. When the architecture school where the candidate has obtained her / his degree

is not already recognized by France, recognition follows the procedures set forth

in the two European Union (EEC and EC) directives mentioned above. In this

case the candidate must submit an application accompanied by her or his

architecture diploma and professional license, and by other information pertaining

to the duration and content of her / his architecture studies.

3. If after all the candidate’s degrees and licenses are not recognized as being

equivalent to the respective French ones, the candidate has the option of pursuing

supplementary education in the French architecture schools, aiming to obtain a

recognized diploma. [24]

The ministry of Education provides additional information on matters concerning the

recognition of diplomas, through its agency below: [3]

Ministère de l'Education nationale, Délégation aux relations internationales et à la

coopération

Claudine LAMIRAL, responsable NARIC Enseignement supérieur

MEN DRIC B4

4, Rue Danton

F-75006Paris

Tel: +33-1-55.55.04.29

Fax: +33-1-55.55.04.23

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.education.gouv.fr/sup/default.htm


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Labour Relations

Engineers’ Remuneration Remuneration is open, to be negotiated between employer and worker, provided the

employer abides by the laws regulating minimum pay in the categories “junior”,

“confirmed”, and “senior”. The yearly pay of a salaried engineer working in civil service is

in the range of EUR 24,000 to 28,000, while the private sector offers EUR 30,000 to

31,000. The pay of engineers engaged in the design and construction of public works is

regulated by the so-called MOP law (“Loi MOP - Maitrise d’Ouvrage Public”). The law

provides non-binding guidelines with which to calculate engineers’ remuneration. [20] [21]

The following Table 5 indicates engineers’ pay. The figures represent average yearly pay

in EUR for years 2000 and 2002. [11]

Table 5

Proportion of all engineers in France 2000 2002

10 percent earns over EUR 91,469 95,000






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The following Table 6 indicates the pay of engineers in France in EUR for year 2002 in

relation to the engineer’s age. [11]

Table 6

Engineer’s age Yearly pay in EUR (interim)

Yearly pay in EUR (average)

Under 30 years 36,000 37,351

30 - 34 43,462 46,608

35 - 39 54,873 59,360

40 - 44 60,937 67,271

45 - 49 67,133 72,955

50 - 54 72,400 78,484

55 - 59 75,000 79,827

60 - 65 79,560 85,376

The following Table 7 indicates engineers’ pay in EUR for year 2002 as a function of the

engineer’s age and gender. [11]

Table 7

Age Male Female

Under 30 years 36,400 34,216

30 - 39 48,555 42,000

40 - 49 65,000 52,135

50 - 65 75,000 56,944

Mean 50,067 38,397


23

Architects’ Pay Architecture as a profession entered a period of crisis when large projects diminished in

the 1980s. It was not until 1999 that the number of projects, as reported by the architects

themselves, showed a rising trend. In the meantime, however, the crisis had deepened.

As a result, 80 percent of young architects under age 30 earn under EUR 15,000 per

year. [23]

Still, an increase is noted among young architects who work in small groups of one to two

persons. Of those small ventures, 60 percent do not employ and salaried personnel, 36

percent employ a staff of 1 to 5, and of the remaining 4 percent only 150 French

companies employ a salaried staff of over 10 persons. About 5 percent of all architects

working in France are foreign, mostly Italian, Belgian, British and German. [23]

Architects’ work presents the following distribution:

Project design 25 percent

Supervision and construction 15 percent

Town planning and arrangement 48 percent

Education 12 percent

About 20 to 40 percent of the recent graduates of architecture schools never register with

the Board of Architects (Ordre des architectes), choosing instead some other field of

work, in spite of the long time (six or more years) they spent studying architecture. [23]

Public Works The formal requirements for undertaking public works are few: there is no obligatory

registration as Construction Contractor or Designer, and there is no requirement for minimum

experience or specialized knowledge, except in the case of a few very specialized projects.

There are, however, powerful professional associations for design (SYNTEC et al.) and

construction (Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics, Fédération Française du Bâtiment et

al.) The usual requirement is a certificate of good performance, certain projects require a

minimum of experience—often not obligatory—and there are criteria for the number and

quality of the good performance certificates. [20] [21]

A company that is involved in public works, either in part or in full, may register at the

National association of Public Works FNTP (Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics). [14]

In order to be allowed to undertake public works, a company needs to hold a Professional Card for

Public Works (Carte Professionnelle d’Entrepreneur de Travaux Publics). That card is issued by the


24

workers’ Special Fund for Paid Leave (congés payés), provided the company is registered at the Fund

and has no outstanding debt there.

In order to obtain that card, the company must first submit an application folder to the Professional

Identification Service (Service Identification Professionnelle et Enquêtes) of the FNTP. The application

folder must include the so-called AD application form (formulaire AD ). The form is filled with the

geographic, administrative and legal information concerning the company. The Professional Card must

be renewed every year. [14]

The company is given a professional contractor’s classification on the basis of the detailed certificates

of projects already performed. [14]

Using the above information, the Professional Identification Service [see above] issues a document

(”guide”) listing the capabilities of each contractor. The FNTP also formulates the rules of good

professional practice and ethics, and professional recognition. [14]

The planning and execution of public works is regulated by the French ministries of Public Works, and

Finance. [20] [21]

Competitions for the design and construction of Public Works are published in special databases, in

the Official Journal of the European Union, in trade journals, and in the “Journal Officiel”. [20] [21]

There is an internal regulation detailing conditions and procedures for access.

The unit prices for public works are defined in specific price lists, using an adjustment factor that

changes every 3 months. [20] [21]

A foreign engineer or architect wishing to learn about the general legal requirements concerning public

works in France must contact BTP and the Trade Representative of the local French Embassy, or the

French Chamber of Commerce, or to consult the official French civil service website

www.legifrance.gouv.fr [20] [21]

Another source of useful information on the professional classification of companies wishing to engage

in public works, and on the management of economic matters arising during the performance of public

works, is the website of the National Public Works Association FNTP (Fédération Nationale des

Travaux Publics, www.fntp.fr)

Private Projects

In France all construction projects must be insured according to the so called Spinetta Law of January

1978. [18] [25]


25

The architect or engineer is responsible for the project for a period of 10 years after

delivery of the structures, and 2 years after delivery of mechanical installations and

devices. [18] [25]

The architect or engineer is liable for the cost of repairing structures during the first year

of use. [18] [25]

All structures with floor area over 170 square metres, or 800 sq. m. in the case of

buildings for agricultural use, must have their construction documents signed by an

architect. [25]

After 1986 the unit prices of construction in private projects are not regulated, but instead

they are set by agreement of the contracting parties. The said agreement is obligatory

and commits the project owner to pay the agreed amounts. [18] [25]

Social Insurance The French social insurance system is available to all salaried employees and covers the

following benefits: health, childbirth, labour accidents, occupation-related illness, disability,

old age, death, unemployment benefits, and family benefits. [3]

Each employee is registered with the social insurance system by means of a simple

statement called déclaration unique d’embauche. Both employer and employee make

contributions to social insurance according to law. The employee’s contribution and that

corresponding to payment from taxes are paid by auxiliary funds-insurance sectors. Those

funds are paid by the employees or the employers or both.

Health insurance covers health counselling, doctor’s visits, hospitalisation, medical tests,

optical, dental and prosthetic expenses. Health expenses are reimbursed at a percentage

rate defined by law.

Other coverage includes long periods of illness, accidents and puerperium.

France has co-signed special agreements with most EU member-States so that European

citizens working in France as employees of companies based in another EU member-State

can maintain their native insurance coverage while working in France.

Immigrants from non-EU countries need to obtain residence rights and work permits before

they are entitled to social insurance benefits.


26

Pension and health insurance are obligatory for all engineers and architects. Retirement is allowed

after 40 years of work. [20] [21]

Useful information is available from the National Fund for Health Insurance of Salaried

Workers – CNAMTS – CAISSE NATIONALE D’ASSURANCE MALADIE DES

TRAVAILLEURS SALARIES

66, avenue du Maine

75014 PARIS (Français)

Téléphone : (33) 01 42 79 30 30

http://www.ameli.fr

Taxation Workers are taxed according to their declared income. Employees pay their own tax to the

respective tax offices without any intermediation by their employers. [3]

Each February the tax offices send a blank declaration form to every tax-payer. The

declaration must be filled and submitted within the deadlines stipulated by the tax office, or

a penalty is levied. The revenue declared concerns the previous tax year, which we shall

call “n”. [3]

The declaration takes place in year n+1. All tax-payers in France must pay their taxes, in

agreement with the tax offices, in one of the three [sic] following ways:

• Either on a monthly basis, paying 10 monthly instalments and the balance in

December.

• Or by paying interim amounts in February and March, and the balance in

September. The interim amounts are calculated based on the taxes paid by the

person in previous years.

The first year of work is an exception to that rule, as taxes are paid in one instalment in

September of the following year. [3]

The calculation of income tax is based on the net earnings of the worker, her or his

household, or the net business profits. Tax-payers enjoy the benefit of a series of

deductions, discounts and ceilings, depending on the condition of each taxpayer. [3]


27

There are tax brackets for each of the categories of revenue yielding taxable income. Each

category depends on the number of sections corresponding to the financial situation and

family expenses of the taxpayer. The French Economic Law of 2003 determines that tax

can never exceed 49.58 percent of net revenue. [3]

There are contributions that help reduce the social insurance debt. These contributions are

paid to the workers and are calculated on the basis of the revenue and a coefficient

established by the authorities to be:

• Social debt reimbursement, RDS (Remboursement de la dette sociale) and

• Complementary social insurance - CSG (Contribution sociale généralisée)

Portions of the RDS and CSG are reintroduced into the taxable income and are subject to

personal income tax. [3]

Other types of taxes:

• Real estate tax, paid by the owner of the real estate.

• Residence tax, which depends on the location of residence, and is paid by the

building resident, also depending on whether she or he is owner or tenant.

• Audiovisual permit tax, which depends on the number of television sets owned by

the taxpayer.

• VAT. There are three different value added tax coefficients, depending on the type

of product.

France has signed agreements with most EU member–States to avoid complications

leading to double taxation. [3]

The website of the French ministry of Economics is the source of much useful information

• Ministère de l’économie, des finances et de l’industrie (www.impots.gouv.fr)

Remarks The initial information collection plan called for questionnaires to be sent by post, e-mail, or

fax to the principal representatives of France’s technical community. The questionnaires

included special topics related to the professional rights of engineers and architects. Once


28

processed, the questionnaires would offer valid and timely information to architects and

engineers concerning the principal aspects of their professional practice.

There were some answers to the questionnaires, but the main source of information was

the available literature, based on the internet and also on the information centre of the

French Institute in Thessaloniki, Greece. A lot of information was found in the official

websites of French authorities (mostly in French) and the European Communities.


29

Useful Web Addresses Housing

portail de l’administration française www.service-public.fr

www.adele.org

CNOUS – Centre National des Oeuvres

Universitaires et Scolaires

www.cnous.fr.

Language Education

Centre national d’enseignement à distance www.cned.f

www.diplomatie.fr/venir/languef/fle/index.html

Centre International d’Etudes Pédagogiques-

CIEP

www.ciep.fr

Centre fle.fr Fédération www.fle.fr/

Groupement professionnel des organismes

d’enseignement du français langue

étrangère-SOUFFLE

www.souffle.asso.fr/)

Education

portail de l’administration française www.service-public.fr/

CNOUS –Centre National des Oeuvres

Universitaires et Scolaires

www.cnous.fr

Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation

nationale et de la recherche

www.education.gouv.fr

portail de l’éducation www.education.fr/

rubriques de la jeunesse www.education.gouv.fr

Working Conditions

ANPE – Agence Nationale pour L’Emploi www.anpe.fr/index.jsp


30

Association pour l’ Emploi des Cadres (APEC) http ://www.apec.fr/

Ministre des affaires sociales, du travail et de

la solidarité

Office National d’Information sur les Etudes

et les Professions (ONISEP)

http ://www.onisep.fr/

Centre Information Documentation Jeunesse

(CIDJ)

http ://www.cidj.com

EURES europa.eu.int/eures

L’ Express (weekly) http://www.lexpress.fr/express/

Le Figaro (every Monday and Tuesday) http://www.lefigaro.fr/

Le Monde (every Monday and Tuesday) http://www.lemonde.fr/

Unemployment benefits

Agence nationale pour l’emploi (ANPE) www.anpe.fr

ASSEDIC http ://www.assedic.fr/

Engineers’ Associations

CEFI Comité d’études sur les formations

d’ingénieurs

www.cefi.org

Conférence des Grandes Écoles www.cge.asso.fr/

Conseil national des ingénieurs et des

scientifiques de France

www.cnisf.org

Entrepreneurs Français International (SEFI) www.sefifrance.fr

Fédération d’écoles supérieures d’ingénieurs

et de cadres

www.fesic.asso.fr

Fédération Française du Bâtiment(FFB) www.ffbatiment.fr

Fédération Nationale des Travaux www.fntp.fr


31

Publics(FNTP)

SYNTEC-INGENIERIE www.syntec-ingenierie.fr

Architects’ Associations

Conseil National de l’ Ordre des Architectes www.architectes.org

Ministère de la Culture et de la

Communication. Direction de l’architecture

www.archi.fr

Académie d’Architecture

www.archi.fr/AA

Institut Français d’Architecture (IFA) www.archi.fr/IFA

Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) www.uia-architects.org

Engineers: studies, diplomas, specializations

Conférence des Grandes Écoles www.cge.asso.fr/

CEFI – Comité d’Etudes sur les Formations d’

Ingénieurs

http ://www.cefi.org/).

Commission des Titres d’Ingénieurs – (CTI )

www.commissioncti.fr/site_flash/fr/index_flash.hm

Engineers: diploma accreditation and equivalence

.

Ministère de l’Education nationale responsable

NARIC Enseignement supérieur

http ://www.education.gouv.fr/sup/default.htm

Architects: studies, diplomas

Ministère de la Culture et de la www.archi.fr


32

Communication. Direction de l’architecture

Architects: professional license .

Conseil National de l’Ordre des Architectes www.architectes.org

Architects: diploma accreditation and equivalence

.

Ministère de l’Education nationale responsable

NARIC Enseignement supérieur

www.education.gouv.fr/sup/default.htm

Public Works .

Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics

(FNTP)

www.fntp.fr

Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) www.ffbatiment.fr

SYNTEC-INGENIERE www.syntec-ingenierie.fr

Private Projects

Fédération Française du Bâtiment (FFB) www.ffbatiment.fr

Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) www.uia-architects.org

SYNTEC-INGENIERE www.syntec-ingenierie.fr

Social Insurance

CNAMTS Caisse Nationale d’ Assurance Maladie

des Travailleurs salariés -

www.ameli.fr

Taxation

www.impots.gouv.fr


33

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] “Country Career Guide: France”

http://overseasdigest.com/country/france.htm

[2] “Dialogue with the Citizens”

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/citizens/el/fr/

[3] “Life and Work: France”, EURES website

http://europa.eu.int/eures/main.jsp?acro=lw&parentId=0&catId=490&lang=el&c

ountryId=FR

[4] “Encyclopedic Atlas of the World”, revised (Athens: CIL Hellas,c1999) 94

[5] CNOUS -Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires

www.cnous.fr.

[6] French Civil Service Website “portail de l'administration française”

www.service-public.fr

[7] Leray, Nicole, Geneviève Laviolette, and Tony Raban “From PhD to

Εmployment” (FEDORA, 2000) 69

[8] L’ Etudiant n.252 (Juin 2003)

[9] “Les chiffres de l’ Europe sociale” L'Express n.2732 (13-11-2003) 82

[10] “Key figure 2000”, 3rd ed. (Luxembourg: European Communities, 2000) 10

[11] “Synthèse: L’ ingénieur dans la société et sa rémunération”. Study by Syntec

Ingénierie

[12] “Cahier pratique: devenir ingénieur» Actuel cidj fiches: 2.813 (Octobre 2003) 9

[13] Fédération Française du Bâtiment, www.ffbatiment.fr

[14] Fédération Nationale des Trauvaux Publics(FNTP), www.fntp.fr

[15] CEFI Comité d’études sur les formations d’ingénieurs, www.cefi.org

[16] SYNTEC-INGENIERIE www.syntec-ingenierie.fr

[17] “Architecte et collaborateur d’architecte. Cahier pratique” Actuel cidj fiches: 2.8781


34

(Mai 2003) 9

[18] CONSEIL NATIONAL DE L’ORDE DES ARCHITECTES www.architectes.org

[19] “Choose France for Engineering Studies”, published by the French Institute,

Athens

[20] Response to questionnaire by the CNISF—Conseil national des ingénieurs et des

scientifiques de France

[21] Response to questionnaire by Syntec-Ingenierie

[22] Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication. Direction de l’architecture

www.archi.fr/ECOLES

[23] “Architecte et collaborateur d’architecte”. Actuel cidj fiches: 2.8781 (Mai 2003) 2

[24] Response letter sent to the Technical Chamber of Greece ΤΕΕ/ΤΚΜ on 11 November

1999 / 5452 by the French ministry of Culture and Communication, Direction de l’architecture

et du Patrimoine

[25] “International Professional Practice: France” (Collegi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya,

2000), http://www.coac.net/internacional/praprof_w.htm

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