You are looking for a work-study placement and feel like you are applying into a void? Good news: not all jobs are equal on the 2026 market. The French Ministry of Labour publishes each year, under the law of 26 January 2024 (immigration law), an official list of shortage occupations and geographic areas — i.e. the jobs where employers struggle the most to recruit. In 2026, this list covers 200+ occupations across all metropolitan regions. For a work-study student, it is a gold mine: where there is shortage, employers are ready to train, to mentor, and to sign faster. Here is the complete list, sector by sector, and the method to leverage it this summer 2026, with SuperAlternant.
What you need to know about 2026 shortage occupations
- What is it? The official list of shortage occupations published by the French Ministry of Labour (arrêté of 21 May 2025, in force for the 2026 campaign), which identifies the occupations and geographic areas where employers struggle to recruit. The list is revised every year and is notably used to facilitate recruitment of non-EU workers and exceptional admission to residence.
- Who is concerned? All French employers recruiting in the listed occupations, and all work-study candidates (CAP, Bac pro, BTS, BUT, Licence, Master, engineering degree) targeting these sectors: the shortage is a market indicator for everyone, not only foreign workers.
- Why it is an argument in 2026: a shortage occupation means employers accept more candidates, where experience requirements are lowered, and where CFAs adapt their programmes to absorb the demand. For a work-study student, it is a clear sign of a fertile ground for signing.
- 2026 list: 200+ occupations across 13 metropolitan regions (Corsica included), with a strong concentration in construction, hospitality, healthcare, personal care, industry, agriculture, fishing and transport.
- What's new in 2026: the 2026 Budget Law (n° 2026-103, published in the Official Journal on 20 February 2026) has re-focused work-study aids on CAP/Bac pro levels (the most under pressure), while maintaining a 6,000 € disability bonus for RQTH apprentices and a 5,000 € bonus for companies with fewer than 250 employees.
- How to read the list: each occupation is coded in ROME V3 code (Operational Directory of Trades and Jobs); correspondence with the FAP-2009 code is in Annex II of the arrêté on Légifrance.
- For work-study students: the list is a targeting tool, not an enforceable right. No company is obliged to hire you. But where shortage is proven, the balance of power is largely on your side.
In concrete terms: a Bac pro student in Marseille aiming for a CAP Cuisine or a CQP waiter work-study directly enters the top 3 shortage occupations in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (cooks, waiters, kitchen assistants), with 8,000+ unfilled offers in 2025 according to DREETS PACA. They can submit their wishes, sign an apprenticeship contract within weeks and benefit from the unique apprenticeship aid still in force.
The top 7 shortage sectors where work-study is a springboard
The official 2026 list covers all of France, but seven occupation families concentrate the bulk of the recruitment difficulties. Here is the panorama, with the corresponding ROME codes and the diplomas accessible in work-study.
1. Construction and building (present in all regions)
This is the most structurally under-pressure sector: 14 out of 14 regions list construction occupations as in shortage. The Fédération Française du Bâtiment (FFB) estimates 90,000 to 110,000 unfilled positions each year in the sector.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Bricklayer / mason |
F1703 |
CAP Maçon, BP Maçon, Bac pro TBEE |
| Roofer |
F1610 |
CAP Couvreur, BP Couvreur |
| Plumber-heating engineer |
F1603 |
CAP Installateur sanitaire, BP Plomberie |
| Building electrician |
F1602 |
CAP Électricien, Bac pro MELEC |
| Building painter |
F1606 |
CAP Peintre applicateur de revêtement |
| Carpenter (wood) |
F1501 |
CAP Charpentier bois, BP Charpentier |
| Construction plant operator |
F1302 |
CAP Conducteur d'engins, Bac pro TP |
| Roofer-zinc worker |
F1610 |
CAP Couvreur, zinc speciality |
To remember: construction recruits at all levels, from CAP to Bac+5 (construction engineer, architect). Employers accept candidates without experience and CFAs are everywhere (Constructys is the reference OPCO).
2. Hospitality and catering (all regions)
With 260,000 unfilled positions in 2025 according to Dares and Umih, hospitality is the second most under-pressure sector after construction. Occupations are accessible from CAP onwards and the summer seasonality (July–August) creates massive opportunities for work-study students starting in September.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Cook |
G1602 |
CAP Cuisine, BP Cuisinier, Bac pro Cuisine |
| Head chef (mastery) |
G1602 |
BTS Hôtellerie-restauration |
| Kitchen assistant / multi-skilled employee |
G1601 |
CAP Cuisine (1st year), CQP |
| Café/restaurant waiter |
G1803 |
CAP Service, Bac pro CSR |
| Hotel employee |
G1501 |
CAP Service, reception-accommodation option |
| Receptionist |
G1503 |
Bac pro ARCU, BTS Tourisme |
To remember: work-study hiring aids (up to 5,000 € for companies with fewer than 250 employees) are cumulative with the charge exemptions specific to the sector ("rebond hôtellerie" scheme in some regions).
3. Healthcare and personal care (8 regions out of 14)
Population ageing and the grand-age reform keep hospital and medico-social shortage at a high level. Nursing assistants and home helps appear in practically all 2026 regional lists.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Nursing assistant (aide-soignant) |
J1501 |
DEAS (1 year), accessible after a Bac pro or general |
| Nurse (IDE) |
J1502 |
DEI (3 years) in apprenticeship since 2023 |
| Home help / domestic help |
K1302 |
DEAES, Titre pro ADVF |
| Educational and social support worker (AES) |
K1301 |
DEAES (1 year, apprenticeship) |
| Childcare auxiliary |
J1505 |
DEAP (1 year, apprenticeship since 2022) |
To remember: since the law of 26 April 2023 (Kasbarian-Bergé law on the reform of grand-age occupations), several of these diplomas are open to apprenticeship. It is a window for candidates who want to fund their training while working.
4. Digital and development (5 regions)
Digital remains under pressure, but localised: the shortage mainly concerns Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Occitanie and PACA. Full-stack developers and R&D engineers top the list.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Computer R&D engineer |
M1805 |
Engineering degree, Master in computer science |
| Full-stack / back-end developer |
M1805 |
BUT Informatique, Licence pro DWWM |
| Study and development technician |
M1805 |
BTS SIO SLAM, Bachelor developer |
| Data engineer |
M1805 |
Master in data, MSc Data engineering |
| Systems and network administrator |
M1801 |
BTS SIO SISR, Bachelor Cybersecurity |
To remember: digital recruits at Bac+2/3/5, but the shortage is stronger for Bac+5 profiles (engineers). For a BTS SIO in work-study, outlets are real but competition is tougher than in construction or hospitality.
5. Industry and metallurgy (all regions)
Reindustrialisation (France 2030, reshoring) and the energy transition keep the shortage on technical industry occupations: welders, boilermakers, maintenance technicians, electrical technicians.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Welder |
H2913 |
CAP Soudeur, Bac pro TCI |
| Boilermaker / sheet metal worker |
H2902 |
CAP RICS, Bac pro TCI |
| Maintenance technician |
I1304 |
BTS MS, BUT GEII |
| Electrical technician |
H1504 |
Bac pro MELEC, BTS Électrotechnique |
| Production operator |
H2101 |
CQP Conducteur de ligne, Bac pro PLP |
To remember: industry recruits massively in apprenticeship through POE (operational preparations for employment) co-funded by OPCO 2i and France Travail.
6. Agriculture, fishing and agri-food (rural and coastal areas)
Agriculture remains under pressure in almost all regions, with specific schemes for seasonal workers and food trades (butchers, bakers, pastry chefs).
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Market gardener / horticulturist |
A1414 |
CAP Métiers de l'agriculture, BPA |
| Winegrower / arboriculturist |
A1405 |
BPA Vigne et vin, Bac pro CGEA |
| Butcher |
D1101 |
CAP Boucher, BP Boucher |
| Baker-pastry chef |
D1102 |
CAP Boulanger, CAP Pâtissier, BP |
| Fisher / aquaculturist (Brittany, PACA, Pays de la Loire) |
A1502 |
CAP Matelot, Bac pro Cultures marines |
| Agri-food worker |
H2102 |
Bac pro BIT, BTS STA |
To remember: agriculture has developed specific contracts (mission contract, "seasonal" apprenticeship contract in wine regions) that facilitate the hiring of work-study students during the season (harvests).
7. Transport and logistics (PACA, Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France)
The shortage on lorry drivers and delivery drivers is national, but PACA has the longest list. Outlets are important in CAP Conducteur routier and Bac pro Transport.
| Occupation |
ROME code |
Work-study diplomas |
| Lorry driver (heavy goods) |
N4101 |
CAP Conducteur routier de marchandises |
| Short-distance delivery driver |
N4102 |
CAP Livreur, Bac pro Transport |
| Order picker |
N1103 |
CQP, Bac pro Logistique |
| Dock worker / handler |
N1105 |
CAP Opérateur logistique |
To remember: the C / CE licence is a prerequisite. Even though the 500 € driving licence B aid has been scrapped for apprentices, the CPF remains usable (cap 900 €) for heavy licences, as detailed in our 2026 apprentice driving licence guide.
The 5-step method to land a work-study placement in a 2026 shortage occupation
Shortage on the market is not enough on its own: you need to turn the opportunity into a signed contract. Here is the method.
Step 1 — Identify the shortage occupations in your region
Before applying, consult the official list on Légifrance or on the French Ministry of Labour portal. Filter by:
- region (your academy first, then neighbouring regions if you are mobile);
- target diploma level (CAP, Bac pro, BTS, BUT, Licence, Master);
- ROME code: use the ROME correspondence tab on the France Travail website to link the list to your project.
For a broader approach than just the official list, browse the SuperAlternant work-study offers which cover all shortage sectors.
Step 2 — Target the diplomas leading to shortage occupations
Once you have the list, work backwards from the occupation to the diploma. The ROME code returns you to France Travail's ROME sheets, which list the corresponding RNCP certifications. The CFAs referenced by France Compétences (francecompetences.fr) indicate the training available in apprenticeship in your region.
For a fine-grained targeting, use the InserJeunes indicators (inserjeunes.education.gouv.fr): a CFA that trains for shortage occupations with an insertion rate above 80% and a drop-out rate below 15% is a good signal. Our article on the 6 indicators to choose your CFA in 2026 details the method.
Step 3 — Activate the right application channels
Shortage occupations are recruited through several channels in parallel:
- La bonne alternance platform (labonnealternance.pole-emploi.fr): the apprenticeship offer board, with ROME code filter and email alerts.
- Spontaneous applications to SMEs and mid-caps: structures with fewer than 250 employees benefit from increased aids (5,000 € for a CAP/Bac pro, 4,500 € for a Bac+2) and are often more welcoming than large groups.
- Professional social networks: LinkedIn (private sector), Viadeo (engineers), HelloWork (SMEs).
- Specialised job fairs and boards: Studyrama fairs, regional apprenticeship fairs, CFA forums, France Travail events.
- Personal network: family, friends, former internship colleagues, 3rd or 2nd year internship tutors.
Step 4 — Leverage the shortage on your CV and at interview
This is an often under-exploited lever. When applying for an offer in a shortage occupation, highlight in your CV and at interview:
- Your knowledge of the market: "I know that the occupation of [cook/plumber/developer] is on the official 2026 shortage list, and I am motivated to invest in it for the long term."
- Your immediate availability: in shortage occupations, employers favour candidates quickly operational. Mention your start date (September 2026 for the new school year).
- Your geographical flexibility: if you are mobile, mention it explicitly.
- Your career plan: a candidate who knows the sector indicators (employment rate, median salary, outlook) reassures the employer.
To write a punchy CV and cover letter, rely on our CV and cover letter guide for work-study and our guide to acing the work-study interview.
Step 5 — Secure the funding and aids
In 2026, the unique aid for apprenticeship employers has been renewed and rescaled by the decree of 6 March 2026:
- Companies with fewer than 250 employees: 5,000 € up to level 4 (CAP, Bac pro); 4,500 € for level 5 (BTS, BUT); 2,000 € for levels 6 and 7 (Licence, Master, engineering degree).
- Companies with 250+ employees: 2,000 € up to level 4; 1,500 € for level 5; 750 € for levels 6 and 7.
- Disability bonus: + 6,000 € for RQTH apprentices, cumulative with the Agefiph aid.
Did you know? Telling your future employer that the State covers part of the cost of your contract is a real negotiation lever. It is a killer argument in shortage occupations, where the employer hesitates to hire a junior.
To go further, browse our detailed article on the 2026 work-study hiring aids.
Why the 2026 shortage favours work-study students
Three reasons explain why a work-study student is advantaged by the shortage, compared to a standard candidate.
1. The employer trains at lower cost
With the unique aid and charge exemption, the residual cost for the employer of a work-study student is significantly lower than that of a standard junior employee. In a shortage occupation, the employer prefers to invest in a work-study student they can train on their processes, rather than in an experienced candidate they would pay at market rate.
2. The CFA absorbs part of the training
The CFA handles the theoretical training (80 to 400 hours depending on the diploma), while the company focuses on practical training and team integration. It is a time saving for the employer, who does not have to train everything in-house.
3. The contract duration secures the recruitment
A 1 to 3-year apprenticeship contract allows the employer to secure a recruitment over time in a tight market. At the end of the contract, the work-study student is operational immediately: this is a classic conversion rate of 60 to 70% according to Dares (the work-study student is hired on a permanent contract by their host company).
The 6 bonus tips for candidates in a shortage occupation
1. Don't overlook the "small" contracts
In a shortage occupation, a 1-year CAP contract is better than a promise of a Master work-study that does not materialise. CFAs and companies recruit in just-in-time: sign fast, validate the training, and prove yourself in the company.
2. Aim for a delayed start if you have nothing in September
If you have not found a company for the September 2026 start, the October 2026 delayed start (or January 2027 for some programmes) remains a credible option, as detailed in our article on the October 2026 delayed start in work-study.
3. Take care of your mobility
Shortage occupations are often located in specific employment basins (PACA for construction, Brittany for fishing, Île-de-France for digital). If you are mobile, double your chances: apply in your region AND in neighbouring regions.
4. Prepare for pre-employment tests
Some CFAs and large companies (construction, luxury hospitality) require pre-employment tests (aptitudes, logic, manual handling). Ask the CFA about the expectations and prepare in advance.
5. Activate your CFA's network
A good CFA has a partner company network and a dedicated service for company search (CV workshop, interview simulation, matchmaking). Ask them explicitly for help: in shortage occupations, 75% of CFAs provide this support according to Dares.
6. Mobilise France Travail and the Mission Locale
If you are without a company a few weeks before the start, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) and the Mission Locale in your area can mobilise aids: POE (operational preparation for employment), AFPR (pre-recruitment training action), mobility aid, etc. These schemes are cumulative with your apprenticeship contract.
To go further
- Identify the official list: consult the arrêté of 21 May 2025 on Légifrance and the 2026 shortage occupation list region by region for an educational decryption.
- Choose a high-potential sector: browse our panorama of the sectors recruiting the most in work-study in 2026 (digital, healthcare, ecological transition, retail, industry).
- Understand employer aids: our article on the 2026 work-study hiring aids details the unique aid, the disability bonus and the exemptions.
- Find a company: use our method to find a work-study in 2026, activate La bonne alternance and browse the SuperAlternant offers.
- Prepare your application: our CV and cover letter guide for work-study and our guide to acing the interview give you the keys to turn a CV into a contract.
- Evaluate CFAs: before committing, check the 6 indicators to choose your CFA in 2026 (success, insertion, drop-out rates) on InserJeunes.
- Anticipate the delayed start: if you have nothing in September, read our article on the October 2026 delayed start in work-study and the one on the delayed start in BUT 2026.
- Simulate your pay: use our work-study pay simulator to project your 2026 salary based on your age, diploma and sector.
In summary
The official 2026 list of shortage occupations, published by the French Ministry of Labour under the law of 26 January 2024, identifies 200+ occupations in 13 metropolitan regions where employers struggle to recruit. Seven families concentrate the bulk: construction, hospitality, healthcare, personal care, digital, industry, agriculture-fishing-transport. For a work-study student, shortage is a favourable signal: employers are ready to train, less demanding on experience, and financially supported by the State (unique aid up to 5,000 €, 6,000 € disability bonus). The key: identify the shortage occupations in your region on Légifrance, work back to the diplomas via ROME codes and RNCP certifications, target CFAs with a good insertion rate, and apply on the right channels (La bonne alternance, spontaneous applications, CFA network). It is a market favourable to mobile, motivated candidates, who know how to tell their story: the 2026 shortage is your ally, provided you decode it and leverage it.
Sources: French Ministry of Labour, Health, Solidarity and Families, arrêté of 21 May 2025 setting the list of occupations and geographic areas characterised by recruitment difficulties (NOR: TSSD2508346A, JORFTEXT000051643488); law n° 2024-78 of 26 January 2024 (immigration law); law n° 2026-103 of 19 February 2026 (2026 Budget Law); decree n° 2026-217 of 6 March 2026 (2026 work-study aids); law n° 2023-1196 of 18 December 2023 (full-employment law); Dares, 2025-2026 analyses on recruitment shortages by sector; Urssaf, monthly apprenticeship dashboard (2025-2026 data); France Travail, ROME V3 code and occupation sheets 2026; France Compétences, RNCP certifications directory (2026 update); InserJeunes, CFA performance indicators 2025-2026; FFB (Fédération Française du Bâtiment), 2025 survey on recruitment needs; Umih, 2025 barometer on hospitality shortages. Data in force at the date of publication.
