Mandatory training: what are your legal obligations, sector by sector?
Some training is imposed by law or sector regulations, regardless of the employer's wishes. Failure to provide it exposes the company to criminal penalties, administrative closure or civil liability in the event of an accident. The most regulated sectors are construction, road transport, healthcare, chemicals and food manufacturing, and private security.
What the law says
Article L.6321-2 of the French Labour Code requires employers to provide training necessary for employees to adapt to their role. It distinguishes training that is a prerequisite for performing an activity or function (mandatory training in the strict sense) from training that maintains employability.
Mandatory regulatory training is training without which the employee is not legally entitled to perform their activity, or which exposes the company to a criminal offence. It must be carried out during working time and paid as such. Its cost is borne entirely by the employer and cannot be charged to the employee's CPF (French personal training account).
Construction: the most demanding training
The construction sector has the largest number of regulatory training requirements.
Electrical accreditation (standard NF C 18-510) is mandatory for any employee required to carry out work on or near electrical installations. It is issued by the employer after training and assessment, and must be renewed periodically.
CACES (safe driving aptitude certificate) is required to operate site machinery (cranes, forklifts, aerial platforms). CACES is issued for 5 or 10 years depending on category.
SST (workplace first aider) training is mandatory in workshops where dangerous work is carried out, and strongly recommended across the sector. It must be refreshed every 24 months.
Asbestos training is mandatory for any operator, supervisor or client working on materials that may contain asbestos. The level required varies by type of work.
Road transport: FIMO and FCO obligations
In road haulage and passenger transport, the Minimum Compulsory Initial Training (FIMO) and Compulsory Continuous Training (FCO) are mandatory for drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or with more than 8 passenger seats. FIMO lasts 140 hours; FCO lasts 35 hours every 5 years.
Other sectors
Healthcare: mandatory continuous professional development, hygiene and radiation protection.
Chemicals: Seveso training, chemical risk.
Food: hygiene (HACCP), food safety.
Private security: mandatory aptitude certificate and continuous training.
How to stay compliant
Map mandatory training by role against the skills framework. Track expiry dates. Keep proof of acquisition, not just attendance — OPCO (French vocational training funding body) and labour inspectorate increasingly require it.