On Thursday, October 1st, the Occitanie Region organized a roundtable discussion at the Toulouse-Bellefontaine Orientation House. The event brought together apprentices, training organizations, CFA (Center for Apprenticeship Training), and companies to discuss the future of vocational training and apprenticeships. Marie Castro, vice president of the Region responsible for vocational training, attended the meeting on behalf of President Carole Delga. The gathering marked the beginning of a collective effort to respond to recent government decisions regarding apprenticeship funding. The French government has announced that Regions will no longer fund apprenticeships starting in 2027. Additionally, a portion of the Regional Investment Pact for Skills (PRIC) allocated for job seeker training will also be eliminated. These changes are estimated to cost the Occitanie Region nearly 100 million euros. The decision was made in late July without consulting regional stakeholders. This comes at a time when unemployment is rising, economic changes are increasing the need for retraining, and companies are struggling to find qualified workers. Funding for apprenticeships in the Occitanie Region has already seen a steep decline. Between 2025 and 2026, the Region's revenues dedicated to apprenticeships dropped from 15.2 million euros to 1.88 million euros, a decrease of 88 percent in one year. The potential consequences are significant: 10,000 training opportunities for job seekers could be lost in Occitanie; over 4,000 young apprentices might lose support; 200 to 250 training sessions could close, especially in rural areas; and 58 percent of CFA (Center for Apprenticeship Training) nationwide are considering closing certain programs. In response, the Occitanie Region has announced two key initiatives to raise public awareness and influence the debate on the 2027 Budget Bill. These efforts involve partnering with ten major actors in apprenticeships and vocational training. The Region plans to send a letter to parliamentarians, co-signed by President Carole Delga and regional training stakeholders, urging them to protect funding for apprenticeships and vocational training. Additionally, the Region will organize public events on October 15th in nearly 100 locations across the territory. The full list of event locations is available at: https://www.laregion.fr/SauvonsNosApprentis. Citizens, apprentices, job seekers, companies, training organizations, and elected officials are invited to attend to amplify the voices of the regions. Carole Delga, President of the Occitanie Region, said, "This decision is incomprehensible and irresponsible! One cannot claim to fight unemployment, meet the recruitment needs of companies, and help young people find employment while eliminating the means of training. In Occitanie, this represents 100 million euros less and thousands of professional pathways that are threatened. Training is not a superfluous expense, it is an investment for our future and the essential growth of our country. I refuse that our young people, job seekers, and territories become victims of budgetary decisions made in Paris, without consultation and without consideration for the realities of life. On October 15th, we must be heard. I call on citizens, companies, elected officials, and all training actors to participate in the events organized near their homes. In this period where everyone must contribute to the budgetary effort, we must also defend the choices that will allow our country to prepare for its future."