Work-study is not just a way to learn a trade while being paid: it is also one of the most effective routes to landing a lasting job. The latest official data confirms this, figures in hand.
In short: according to the Depp's InserJeunes scheme, 62% of apprentices at CAP to BTS level who stop their studies hold a salaried job six months after leaving (measured in January 2025). At a comparable level, only 41% of those leaving the school-based vocational route are in the same situation. The experience gained within the company during the contract makes all the difference when it comes time to look for a position.
What exactly does the employment rate measure?
The employment rate corresponds to the share of young people who hold a salaried job a few months after completing their training, among those who do not continue their studies. It is calculated by InserJeunes, a scheme that cross-references the administrative records of the national education system (apprentice enrolments) with employers' social declarations (DSN). In other words, this is not a self-reported survey but a measurement based on real payroll data.
62% of apprentices from CAP to BTS level are employed six months after leaving, compared with 41% of those leaving the school-based route at a comparable level: the gap exceeds 20 points in favour of work-study.
Why does work-study lead to better integration than the school-based route?
The answer can be summed up in one word: experience. During their contract, apprentices spend half their time (or more) in the company. They acquire directly usable skills, build a professional network and, very often, prove themselves to an employer who may hire them at the end of the contract. For a company, recruiting a former apprentice means choosing someone already trained in its methods.
This logic applies across every sector: a young person who has already worked in real conditions reassures a recruiter far more than a profile with no experience. It is one of the great assets to highlight during your work-study interview.
Does the qualification prepared change the chances of finding a job?
Yes, and markedly so. The higher the level of qualification, the higher the employment rate climbs. Here are the orders of magnitude observed six months after leaving studies for apprentices:
| Qualification prepared | Employment rate at 6 months |
|---|---|
| CAP | around 62% |
| Vocational baccalaureate (bac pro) | around 69% |
| BTS | around 70% |
| Professional qualification | around 78% |
Two lessons to keep in mind. First, earning your diploma matters: among apprentices, the employment rate reaches around 75% for graduates compared with 63% for non-graduates. Second, integration continues to improve over time: around 73% of apprentices who graduated from CAP to BTS level are employed two years after leaving studies. The first job is only a starting point.
Should we worry about the recent decline?
The latest figures show a slight decline: -3.2 points compared with the previous cohort, linked to the slowdown in economic activity. It is a signal worth being aware of, but it does not call into question the structural advantage of work-study, whose gap with the school-based route remains very large. In a tighter labour market, the experience gained within a company becomes an even more distinguishing asset.
How can you stack the odds in your favour?
A few concrete levers to turn your work-study into a lasting job:
- Choose a sector that is hiring. Industry, digital, healthcare, retail, construction… target the fields under pressure. Our overview of the companies hiring in 2026 gives you some leads.
- Aim for a recognised qualification or title (listed in the RNCP): it carries significant weight in employment outcomes and recognition by employers. Compare the work-study programmes available near you.
- Take care of your integration within the company from the very first days: that is where a potential hire is decided.
- Start your job search before the contract ends. Check the work-study offers regularly and activate your network.
Work-study remains, official data in hand, one of the surest routes to employment. All that's left is to choose the right programme and the right company: explore our careers to find the one that matches your plans.