Doing a BTS means undertaking a short two-year training course, highly operational to enable students to enter the job market under the best conditions after their training, or to continue their studies at university. Often offered as a sandwich course, the BTS is a good choice of training for those who know what they want to do or for those who wish to become operational quickly to enter the job market at the end of their training. Here is a closer look at a “concrete” training program.
The BTS: what is it?
The BTS is a short training course, which can be completed in two years and is given in high schools, apprenticeship training centers or private establishments. It is important to note that this is a state diploma, which means that the program is the same for all BTS, and it is according to the chosen specialization that the disciplines covered vary from one program to another. The main advantage of this training leading to a state diploma of Bac+2 level is, in part, its professionalizing aspect. Above all, it allows us to train future graduates who will be directly operational and efficient in a company, once their studies are completed. Thanks to the many months of internships, combined with the practical nature of the training, students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the targeted sector of activity during their training years.
There are approximately 145 different BTS specialties, but not all of them lead to the same job opportunities. Among the 145 possibilities, the most popular remain the BTS MUC, NRC and GCO. The BTS Management of commercial units (MUC) is the most popular with students and companies, as it allows students to acquire the fundamentals of commercial functions, to become salespeople with a perfect command of all sales and negotiation techniques as well as products. On the other hand, the BTS Négociation Relation Client, is more versatile, although it is also centered around the sales function. However, it trains more salespeople than salesmen. The BTS Gestion et Comptabilité des organisations CGO is more administrative and includes generic, professional and technological courses. The common point between these different BTS specialties is that they all allow students to continue their studies in a professional license or in a business school through parallel admissions.
Work-study programs: How do they work?
Often, BTS programs are offered on a work-study basis, which implies a structured training program alternating between theoretical courses given in the classroom and a professional presence in a company. The student can thus have the status of an apprentice or even an employee. The rhythm of the alternation varies from one establishment to another. The training can alternate periods in class and periods in the company in a different way. There are two types of contracts that allow the student to benefit from the advantages of the alternating system, namely the apprenticeship contract and the professionalization contract.
The apprenticeship contract comes from the field of initial training and is designed for young people between 15 and 25 years old. However, if the center does not offer a partner company, it is up to the student to find an employer who agrees to train him or her and to establish an apprenticeship contract with the possibility of hiring at the end of the training.
The professionalization contract replaces the qualification contract. It is part of the continuing education system and is intended not only for young people aged 16 to 25, but also for job seekers and other specific profiles.
Both have the common objective of training students by allowing them to benefit from practical experience in the field, but each one is part of a different framework and has a different application system. It’s up to you to decide which one suits you best!
