Insee Première · June 2026 · n° 2109

Obtaining a qualification improves the chances of securing the most skilled jobs

Among young people who entered sixth grade in 2007, left initial education and reached the final year of the highest level of education they had undertaken, 81% obtained their qualification. Compared with young people who dropped out during their final year, obtaining the highest attempted qualification provided, at the age of 26–27, better access to employment for graduates of a grande école and those with a vocational Baccalauréat. However, there was no significant difference for other types of qualification. For a given qualification, obtaining the qualification was also associated with a limited increase in earnings, averaging 3%. In tertiary education, however, obtaining a qualification greatly improves access to the most highly skilled jobs. The chances of holding a managerial position at the age of 26–27 after completing the final year of a master’s degree were notably 15 percentage points higher for young people who had obtained the qualification compared to those who had not. Similarly, the chances of holding a managerial or a technician and associate professional position were 17 to 20 percentage points higher for young people who, as their highest qualification, attempted and obtained a two or three‑year post‑secondary qualification.