After successful completion of lower secondary school, pupils advance to upper secondary school.
In the lycée professionnel Jules Michelet, pupils attend seconde to prepare for a baccalauréat professionnel over three years or a first year leading to the certificat d'aptitude professionnelle (CAP) over two years.
Part of this course occurs in the work place where students gain hands-on experience and skills, which are defined by the framework of each diploma and assessed through exams. At the end of upper secondary, pupils sit for the vocational baccalaureate exam, similar to general and technological, which gives level IV end of secondary school certification (see French Classification inset).
A level V intermediary qualification (CAP or BEP) is taken at some point during the course of the three year period of study to ensure that each young person gains some qualifications.
Certificate of professional aptitude (CAP): level V, 2 years of study, 1 specialism;
Le baccalauréat professionnel (vocational baccalaureat): level IV, 3 years of study, 4 specialisms.