The education sector is hiring, and not just teachers. With the decline in the number of candidates for competitive exams, the increase in contractual positions, and the variety of roles in educational institutions, there are more entry points than one might think. Finding a job in teaching requires understanding how this market operates today, not how it did ten years ago.
Teacher exams at bac+3: what the reform changes for candidates
Most online guides still describe the classic path of bac+5 followed by competitive exams. This information is outdated. The teacher exam is now accessible from the bachelor’s degree, at bac+3, followed by two years of paid alternating training.
A student at the end of their bachelor’s degree can take the exam and then teach part-time while pursuing a master’s degree in an alternating format. This pathway reduces the duration of unpaid studies and eliminates the financial barrier that discouraged many candidates.
The rate of filled positions has reached a record level, around 98%. For those who hesitated due to the length of the course, this reform represents a clear opportunity. Those who wish to find a job through Partir en Classe can also explore offers related to school trips and educational supervision, an adjacent sector that regularly hires.
Fewer candidates per position: the ratio that facilitates access to the education sector
The word “crisis” often appears in the media regarding education. It is primarily a crisis of attractiveness, not a crisis of employment. And it works in favor of candidates.
In primary education, the number of candidates per position has dropped from about five at the end of the 2000s to 2.5 candidates per position in 2023-2024. In secondary education, the decline is comparable: from more than six candidates per position in the mid-2000s to about three today.
Simply put: your chances of passing a teacher exam have nearly doubled in fifteen years. The selection remains academically demanding, but the competition is significantly less fierce than before.
This observation also applies to non-teaching positions. Educational institutions struggle to recruit AESH (assistants for students with disabilities), administrative agents, or technical staff. The education sector is not limited to the classroom.
Contractual employment in education: an underestimated access route
The recruitment of contractual staff in the National Education represents a significant volume. These positions are accessible without competitive exams, often requiring a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.
Why is this route relevant? Because it allows individuals to test the profession before committing to a competitive exam. A contractual teacher works under the same conditions as a tenured teacher, with a renewable fixed-term contract.
Here are the key points to know before applying as a contractual employee:
- Applications are submitted directly to the rectorates, via their online platforms. Each academy manages its own pool of candidates.
- The status of contractual employees is under discussion for national standardization, which could improve the stability of these positions in the long term.
- No prior teaching experience is required for most contractual positions, although a background related to education or training is an asset.
- Assignments depend on local needs: some academies are hiring massively in mathematics, others in literature or languages.
Contractual or tenured: which path to choose
The contractual position is suitable for those who want to enter the profession quickly, test their motivation, or who do not yet have the required diploma for the competitive exam. The competitive exam remains the most stable route, with a civil servant status and a regulated salary progression.
The two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many contractual employees take the exam after one or two years of practice, benefiting from practical experience that other candidates lack.
Educational jobs without exams: accessible training and pathways
The education sector employs well beyond the teaching body. Concrete jobs are regularly hiring, sometimes without specific diplomas.
- The AESH supports students with disabilities. The position is accessible with a high school diploma or a qualification in the field of personal assistance. Demand exceeds supply in most academies.
- The extracurricular facilitator works during out-of-class times (canteen, evening activities, Wednesday). A BAFA or a CPJEPS is sufficient to start.
- Administrative agents (category C) manage reception, secretarial work, or accounting in an institution. Recruitment occurs through public service exams or direct contracts.
Identifying the pathway that matches one’s profile (teaching, support, animation, administration) is the first concrete step. Each pathway has its own recruitment channels and requirements.
Where to look for job offers in education
Job offers from the National Education are published on the official recruitment platform of the ministry and on the rectorates’ websites. France Travail also references contractual positions and jobs in private institutions.
Private institutions under contract recruit directly, without going through the public teaching exam. Their process resembles a more traditional recruitment: CV, cover letter, interview.
The average salary of teachers has increased in recent years, with a notable rise linked to recent revaluations. The average net salary of teachers is around 3,090 euros, a level that remains below the average of comparable countries but has increased significantly.
The education sector is undergoing a transition period that benefits motivated candidates. More accessible exams, numerous contractual positions, and varied jobs beyond teaching: options exist. The key is to target the pathway suited to one’s profile and submit an application through the right channel.
