Orientation to vocational high school

Verified 06 February 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Your child is preparing a certificate of professional competence (CAP) or a vocational baccalaureate and you have questions about his or her orientation? Accompaniment, continuation of studies: here is the information to know about the orientation of your child.

CAP

The CAP is a diploma giving a qualification as a skilled worker or employee in a given trade.

In 1re year of CAP, your child participates in a personalized orientation interview with the senior professor. Maintenance allows to make a individualized assessment of his career and to consider further training.

This interview also makes it possible to program educational and pedagogical measures to avoid dropping out of school or leaving the school system without qualification.

In the last year of CAP, your child can benefit from AvenirPro deviceWhat is the Ambition emploi device?. This is a phase of preparation for professional integration. Collective workshops led by France Travail advisors or local missions, and individual interviews are organized.

In the school

Your child can get advice from their senior professor. He will advise him usefully according to his motivations and possibilities.

Your child can also make an appointment with the National Education Psychologist which regularly intervenes in high schools.

Outside the school

Your child can go to a Information and Guidance Center (IOC).

Your child can also go to a youth information and documentation center (CIDJ). This structure welcomes and informs young people free of charge on all subjects of interest to them, in particular on career choices and professional life.

After obtaining his CAP, your child may decide to continue his studies. In particular, they may choose to take one of the following courses:

  • Professional Bachelor's degree : admission to the professional first year is possible on your request and after consulting the class council. Your child then prepares a specialty in line with that of the CAP he obtained.
  • Complementary training of one year : additional statement (MC) or complementary training of local initiative (CFLI) in the continuity of the CAP obtained.
  • Patent for crafts (BMA) . This diploma, in the field of craftsmanship, is conceivable according to the specialty obtained.
  • Professional Patent (BP) . This diploma is prepared in 2 years only by apprenticeship, to deepen professional techniques. Your child must find a partner company and enroll in an apprenticeship training center (CFA) to obtain this diploma.
  • Technical patent for the trades (BTM). This diploma is prepared in 2 years. It allows you to acquire the skills to hold a qualified job (workshop manager, manufacturing manager).

If your child has not found solutions for further education or employment after the exam, he or she can benefit from the What is the Ambition emploi device?AvenirPro+ device. This system allows him, for a maximum of 4 months, to have personalized support to find a training or a job while maintaining his status as a student.

Pro Tray

The baccalaureate is a diploma allowing to exercise a highly qualified professional activity.

In the second, first and last year, your child participates in a personalized orientation interview with his principal teacher. In the final year, he can benefit from support for professional integration (AvenirPro device).

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In seconds

The personalized orientation interview allows your child to an individualized assessment of his career and to consider further training.

This interview allows, if necessary, to program educational and pedagogical measures to avoid dropping out of school or leaving the school system without qualification.

First

The interview allows to study the conditions to access a section of senior technicians (STS) or a university institute of technology (IUT). The interview can also be an opportunity to discuss the conditions of a professional integration.

In terminal

The personalized orientation interview allows you to specify the conditions to be met to access a section of senior technicians (STS) or a university institute of technology (IUT).

Your child can also benefit from AvenirPro deviceWhat is the Ambition emploi device?. This is a phase of preparation for professional integration. Collective workshops led by France Travail advisors or local missions, and individual interviews are organized.

In the school

Your child can get advice from their senior professor. He will advise him usefully according to his motivations and possibilities.

Your child can also make an appointment with the National Education Psychologist which regularly intervenes in high schools.

Outside the school

Your child can go to a Information and Guidance Center (IOC).

Your child can also go to a youth information and documentation center (CIDJ). This structure welcomes and informs young people free of charge on all subjects of interest to them, in particular on career choices and professional life.

After graduating with a baccalaureate, your child may decide to continue his or her studies. In particular, they may choose to take one of the following courses:

  • Supplementary Mention (MC). The MC is accessible on file. She prepares in 1 year in vocational high school or in an apprenticeship training center (CFA).
  • Complementary Local Initiative Training (CFLI). The CFLI prepares in 1 year in a vocational high school and allows to obtain a school certificate (which is not a national diploma).
  • One gateway class to prepare for the BTS. If your child has received a favorable opinion from the senior class council but is not admitted to BTS, he can then follow a year of preparation to succeed in his entry into higher education.
  • Vocational training certificate (BTS). If your child has obtained his baccalaureate with mention well or very well, he has the right to join the BTS of the same field in the next academic year. Registration is done by the Parcoursup platform.
  • University degree. She prepares in 3 years at the university after the baccalaureate. Some universities offer upgrades to students with a vocational bachelor's degree. Registration is done by the Parcoursup platform.

If your child has not found solutions for further education or employment after the exam, he or she can benefit from the What is the Ambition emploi device?AvenirPro+ device. This system allows him, for a maximum of 4 months, to have personalized support to find a training or a job while maintaining his status as a student.

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