Level V diplomas, such as occupational proficiency diplomas (CAP) and vocational diplomas (BEP), are less likely to lead to qualified jobs than in the past. This trend raises questions about the factors that influence a young person's access to qualified jobs at the end of their initial training, such as qualification success or failure, the route followed (apprenticeship or professional lycée) and specialization, etc. The professional career paths of young people entering the labour market in September 1992 and in September 1998 were studied, and focused on the three years following their departure from the education system. Five different situations can be distinguished: unemployment, inactivity, non-qualified employment, qualified employment and highly qualified employment. Regardless of the year or population, movement between these situations is uncommon. People who have already occupied a qualified job (or non-qualified job respectively) tend to seek another qualified job (or non-qualified job respectively). Diploma holders find it easier to trade unemployment for employment and are less likely to become unemployed. For some, the diploma increases their chances of finding a highly qualified job. The diploma holder's sector of activity has little bearing on these trends. In short, apprenticeships offer a better professional start than lycée in terms of qualification and job stability. The labour market situation is more advantageous for men than for women. In terms of the qualification of jobs, new entrants joining the labour market in 1992 are better placed than those joining in 1998.