In France, and more broadly across Europe, one fact is clear: there is a severe shortage of repairers. While the demand for repair is growing—driven by the right to repair movement and rising environmental awareness—the sector suffers from a lack of qualified labor.
A Lack of Training and Resources
Training programs dedicated to repair remain too limited and often poorly known. Many young people are not directed toward these professions, due to a lack of information and recognition. Training centers also struggle to attract and retain specialized instructors, further aggravating the shortage of skills available on the market.
A Profession Often Misunderstood
In the collective imagination, repair is still associated with manual work, undervalued socially. Yet today’s repairers use digital tools, collaborate with manufacturers, and play a key role in the circular economy. Their mission is essential: to extend the lifespan of devices, reduce electronic waste, and guide consumers toward more sustainable consumption.
A Future-Proof Profession
Unlike many other professions, repair has two major strengths:
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It resists artificial intelligence. Even though diagnostics can be assisted by digital tools, manual intervention, technical expertise, and customer relationships cannot be automated.
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It cannot be outsourced. Unlike manufacturing, repair must be carried out close to the consumer. It is a profession rooted in local communities, creating local jobs and meeting immediate needs.
A Real Driver for Entrepreneurship
Repair is not only a promising profession for employees: it is also a powerful springboard for entrepreneurship. Many technicians, after starting out on their own, have gone on to create their own repair shops, build a loyal customer base, and establish thriving local businesses.
Choosing repair therefore also means choosing a path toward professional independence and the opportunity to become an entrepreneur in a rapidly growing sector.
Promoting Repair to Younger Generations
The challenge is clear: we must change the way repair is perceived. It is a forward-looking, modern, and essential sector for addressing environmental challenges. Younger generations should see this career not as a fallback option, but as a path of the future—at the crossroads of technology, ecology, local service… and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
At Agoragroup, we firmly believe that repair must reclaim its place at the heart of our way of life. Investing in this profession means investing in local employment, creating real opportunities for young people, and restoring value to essential know-how.
It also strengthens the economic resilience of our regions by reducing dependence on imports and extending the lifespan of equipment already in circulation.
Finally, it contributes actively to the preservation of our planet by limiting electronic waste and fostering a more resource-respectful circular economy.
Repair, therefore, is much more than a service: it is a lever for the future, at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, local impact, and entrepreneurship