Military service scheme expands

These will be near Lyon at Ambérieu-en-Bugey and in Brest, run respectively by the airforce and the navy – meaning the scheme is now expanding across all three main forces.

Responsibility has been transferred from the army to the National Youth Service.

Service Militaire Volontaire (SMV) spokeswoman Lt Lou­mou Soumaré said the aim for 2017-2018 will be to train 1,000 young people, up from 300 in the first year and 700 in the second (72% of the first batch found work, expected to be matched for the second year).

The SMV combines barracks living and a taste of military life with broad training aimed at boosting employability.

It has now also been given a certain autonomy from the state so it may benefit from private sector funding.

“We’re putting in place partnerships with firms, finance organisations and professional bodies – who will pay for our recruits’ professional training, whether in building or industry, caring, catering, security etc.

“They’ll focus on areas where there’s demand – putting in fibre-optic cables, for example.”

A partnership has been made with La Poste, who will pay for recruits’ training then take them on in posts in the group.

SMV recruits training may also benefit from funding from the apprenticeship tax paid by businesses.

The project is now running until at least the end of 2018, after which it will be evaluated.