Young people in France who face significant employment challenges can join the Voluntary Military Service. This initiative provides both military and professional training, facilitating social and professional integration through discipline, teamwork, and partnerships with local and national employment actors.

First piloted in 2015, the voluntary military service became a permanent programme in 2019 thanks to funding from the European Social Fund. It has now expanded with additional funding from the European Social Fund Plus.

The programme is designed for French youth aged 18 to 25 who are excluded from the job market. Participants undertake an 8 to 12-month journey where they learn communal living rules and professional skills. They sign a military contract, becoming ‘volunteer trainees,’ and live in barracks, embracing military discipline. This environment fosters values such as punctuality, respect for hygiene, safety, and teamwork.

Activities take place in five regions across France: Grand Est, Île-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Bretagne and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In the Overseas territories young people can take part in a similar initiative – the Adapted Military Service.

Lea, a participant in the programme, shares her experience: ‘At the end of my vocational training as a florist, I quickly found myself facing a major challenge: the job market. I decided to change career path and I want to thank the officers of the Voluntary Military Service who helped me regain confidence in myself and overcome my shyness. I now approach the job market more confidently’.

In 2021, the Grand Est region’s voluntary military service alone integrated 494 participants, achieving a 90% success rate in the General Training Certificate despite a 25% illiteracy rate at entry. The programme continues to expand in all five regions, offering more opportunities for young people to reintegrate into society and the workforce. By the end of 2024, the aim is to integrate more than 4 100 additional participants.

By providing structured training and a supportive environment, the programme equips young people with the skills to build a better future. Through its unique blend of military discipline and professional training, the voluntary military service is transforming lives, giving young people the tools they need to succeed and thrive.