Centre de formation et de perfectionnement des journalistes

The Centre de formation et de perfectionnement des journalistes (CFPJ) is a French vocational training centre specialising in journalism and communication, based in Paris. It offers short professional courses for working journalists and communication professionals, as well as apprenticeship-based journalism programmes leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

The CFPJ is cited in the Convention collective nationale de travail des journalistes (national collective agreement for journalists) in connection with continuing professional development. It is owned by the Skolae group, which acquired it through the takeover of Abilways in late 2023.

The CFPJ should not be confused with the Centre de formation des journalistes (CFJ), the prestigious grande école of journalism from which it originated. Although the two institutions shared an umbrella structure from 1972 to 2013, the CFJ is now an independent non-profit association.

History

Origins and creation (1946–1972)

The CFPJ traces its roots to the Centre de formation des journalistes (CFJ), a journalism school founded on 11 July 1946 by Philippe Viannay and Jacques Richet, both former members of the French Resistance group Défense de la France. The CFJ was established at 35 rue du Louvre in Paris with the goal of raining a new generation of quality journalists for the post-Liberation press.

In 1969, convinced that journalists needed to update their skills throughout their careers, Viannay created the Centre de perfectionnement des journalistes (CPJ), a continuing education arm within the CFJ devoted to professional development for practising journalists.

The CFPJ umbrella (1972–2003)

In 1972, the CFJ and the CPJ merged their administrative structures under the common banner of the Centre de formation et de perfectionnement des journalistes (CFPJ). The "CFPJ" label thus served as an umbrella designation covering both the initial training school (CFJ) and the continuing education centre (CPJ), as well as offshoots such as CFPJ International and CFPJ Éditions.

The CFPJ expanded its scope from the 1980s onward. In 1980, it began offering communication training to professionals in the private sector, public administration, and non-profit organisations. In 1984, it launched the first French training programme for journaliste reporter d'images (JRI), a broadcast journalism role combining reporting and camera operation. In 1994, the CFPJ partnered with the Institut français de presse at the Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University to create a francophone journalism programme at the University of Cairo.

The group faced severe financial difficulties in 1998, prompting a restructuring. An alumni association called "CFJ-Demain", led by former graduates including Bernard Pivot and Pierre Lescure, helped the institution avoid liquidation. In 2003, the CFPJ group was again placed in receivership.

Takeover and separation from the CFJ (2003–2013)

In July 2003, the CFPJ group was acquired by Édition Formation Entreprise (EFE), a vocational training company. The CFJ simultaneously became an independent non-profit association (association loi de 1901), legally distinct from the CFPJ.

The separation was formalised progressively: while the two entities continued to share premises and some administrative links, by 2012 the CFJ had no remaining ownership connection with the CFPJ's parent company.

Under Abilways (2012–2023)

In 2012, EFE rebranded itself as Abilways, a broader vocational training group. From 2011 to 2023, Abilways was owned by Créadev, the investment fund of the Mulliez family, known for controlling retailers such as Auchan, Decathlon, and Leroy Merlin.

In November 2019, the CFPJ signed a partnership agreement with Paris-Panthéon-Assas University for its apprenticeship programmes.

In December 2022, the CFPJ left its historic address at 35 rue du Louvre in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris and relocated to 18–24 rue Tiphaine in the 15th arrondissement.

Skolae era (2023–present)

In late 2023, the private higher education group GES-Eductive and the British private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners acquired Abilways from the Mulliez family. Following the acquisition, GES, Eductive, and Abilways merged to form the Skolae group. The CFPJ continues to operate under its own brand within this structure.

See also

  • Centre de formation des journalistes (CFJ)
  • École supérieure de journalisme de Lille (ESJ Lille)
  • Journalism education
  • Journalism school