Want to round off your diplôme de fin d’études secondaires or diplôme de technicien? Want to expand your career prospects and develop your practical skills? Want to get a recognised vocational diploma with just one year of training?
From the 2026/2027 academic year, if you hold a diplôme de fin d’études secondaires classiques or générales (secondary school leaving diploma) or diplôme de technicien (technician’s diploma) (or equivalent), you’ll be able to take a one-year vocational training course to earn a diplôme d’aptitude professionnelle (DAP, vocational aptitude diploma).
What 1re DAP training courses are available?
There are several 1re DAP courses initially available:
- aesthetician
- carpenter
- cutting machine operator
- cook
- warehouse operator
- pastry, confectioner and ice cream maker
- garden and landscape designer.
Why choose a 1re DAP course?
1re DAP courses are designed for young graduates who want to gain an additional vocational qualification through intensive studies. In just one year, you can learn a practical trade and start working in a field where manual dexterity counts as much as precision, technical knowledge and customer relationships.
The DAP is a diploma that leads directly to working life with plenty of opportunities for progression. For example, you could go on to take a more specialised technician’s course or embark on higher technical studies in the same field of specialisation. And if you pick a craft, you could set your sights on a master craftsmanship’s diploma.
With two diplomas, you’ll have an even better chance of getting your dream job!
How does a one-year DAP work?
During the one year of 1re DAP training, your learning will focus exclusively on practical and technical skills. Because you’ve already got your diplôme de fin d’études secondaires or diplôme de technicien, you don’t need to take the general education modules included in a traditional DAP course.
It’s a focused programme with an intensive timetable. Depending on your chosen DAP, you’ll have between 35 and 40 hours of teaching per week. That’s how you’ll gain all the skills you’ll need to earn your DAP in just one year.
This training is an integral part of Luxembourg’s education system. The courses are organised by the Service de la formation professionnelle of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.
Alongside practical and technical learning at school, the training course also includes work placement periods so you can familiarise yourself with company life and real-world situations.
Is the 1re DAP qualification equivalent to the traditional DAP?
The teaching is organised into modules, each of which covers a clearly defined set of vocational skills.
Assessment and certification take place in the same way as for the traditional DAP training courses, including via a final integrated project (projet intégré final). You’ll earn exactly the same diploma as you would at the end of a traditional DAP.
When and where are 1re DAP courses taking place?
The courses are being held:
- in the specialist workshops at the Centre national de formation professionnelle continue (CNFPC, National Centre for Continuing Vocational Training) in Esch-sur-Alzette for the following courses:
- 1re DAP aesthetician
- 1re DAP warehouse operator
- 1re DAP cutting machine operator
- 1re DAP carpenter
- at the CNFPC in Ettelbruck for the following courses:
- 1re DAP cook
- 1re DAP pastry, confectioner and ice cream maker
- and at the Lycée technique agricole in Gilsdorf for the 1re DAP garden and landscape designer.
The 1re DAP courses generally follow the academic calendar, running from 15 September to 15 July.
Are there plans for a resit process?
Resit measures will be in place for pupils who don’t pass their 1re DAP on their first attempt, either because they failed the final integrated project (projet intégré final) or because their final grade was too low for them to submit their final integrated project in June. For instance, these pupils can attend a work placement or additional lessons and carry out their final integrated project during the resit session organised for all DAP courses in January the following year.
Where can you get information?
If you’re interested in a 1re DAP course or want more information, you can contact the Service de la formation professionnelle by email or phone:
- Email: premiere-dap@sfp.lu
- Tel.: (+352) 247-85239
The Service de la formation professionnelle team is touring secondary schools in February and March 2026 to meet pupils.
You can also attend regional information sessions:
- Monday, 9 March 2026 – 18:30 to 20:30 – Kinepolis Kirchberg
- Wednesday, 11 March 2026 – 18:30 to 20:30 – Kinepolis Belval
- Monday, 16 March 2026 – 18:30 to 20:30 – Lycée classique de Diekirch
Additional information about the 1re DAP is available at the Schoulfoire at LuxExpo, from 19 to 22 April 2026, at the Shape Your Future stand.
Open days are being held on:
- 7 May 2026 at the Lycée technique agricole in Gilsdorf
- 7 July 2026 at the Centre national de formation professionnelle continue (CNFPC) in Esch-sur-Alzette and Ettelbruck.
How can you preregister?
You can preregister online:
- Form to preregister for the 1re DAP course (in French)