The vocational training available in public and private general secondary education covers around 120 training courses.
These training courses come under three training paths that lead to three different diplomas:
Vocational capacity certificate (certificat de capacité professionnelle) (CCP)
Usual duration: 3 years
The training leading to the CCP provides students with the basic vocational and social skills necessary to enter the job market.
The course length is either 2 or 3 years, depending on the course followed. It is organised into modules with continuous assessment under a vocational training contract, i.e. a large part takes place within the training organisation and the student spends the rest of the time in school (one to three days a week).
After completing the CCP, students can continue their training to gain a vocational aptitude diploma (diplôme d’aptitude professionnelle) (DAP) in the same field of specialisation.
Vocational aptitude diploma (diplôme d’aptitude professionnelle) (DAP)
Usual duration: 3 years
The training leading to DAP provides access to the job market as a qualified worker. It is organised under a vocational training contract or an internship contract (minimum 12 weeks of on-the-job training) with a usual duration of three years.
After completing the DAP, the student can follow a further course to obtain a technician’s diploma (diplôme de technicien) (DT) in the same field of specialisation, or enrol in the higher classes of general secondary education, or follow the curriculum for a master craftsman’s diploma (brevet de maîtrise).
Technician’s diploma (diplôme de technicien) (DT)
Usual duration: 4 years
The technician’s diploma (DT) is a vocational qualification that enables its holder to go directly into work. The technician’s diploma differs from the CCP and the DAP as it offers a more advanced and diverse skills profile and more extensive general knowledge.
The duration of the training leading to the DT is usually 4 years. It is organised under a vocational training contract or an internship contract (minimum 12 weeks of on-the-job training).
Anyone with a DT qualification can also continue their training:
- in the higher classes of general secondary education;
- with higher technical studies in the area of specialisation corresponding to their diploma, as long as they have passed the preparatory modules for higher technical studies. These modules can be completed within the usual duration of studies or can be taken after the end of the training. Successful completion is evidenced by a certificate for access to higher studies within the area of specialisation corresponding to the diploma.