Civil service careers – iStock.com/Philipimage
The civil service is a fairly large body which, at the end of 2014, had nearly 5,450,000 members. If it finds its origins in the Old Regime, it is especially to the Vichy Regime that we owe its existence. Within this set, there are three main types: state public service (teachers, soldiers, etc.), territorial public service (members of communities of municipalities, regions, etc.) and hospital public service (members of public hospitals, of retirement…).
In general, to become a civil servant, you have to pass a competition, accessible externally (if you are not already a civil servant) or internally (when you are already a civil servant and want to progress in your career).
According to the hierarchical level to which this competition gives access and according to the level of diploma required during recruitment by external competition, there are three categories:
- Category A corresponds to the highest level and provides executive status. Primary and secondary school teachers, for example, are category A civil servants.
- Category B is intermediate. It is accessible from the baccalaureate level or equivalent.
- Finally, category C recruits civil servants with a patent or CAP/BEP level.
Gendarme, CRS, customs officer, librarian, ambassador, Pôle Emploi adviser, school teacher, etc.
There are therefore many civil service professions. Pratique.fr helps you see things more clearly.