The validation des acquis d'expérience (VAE) scheme, which formally recognises a person's work experience and allows them to achieve a qualification, was established by the law of 17th January 2002. Concrete provisions have subsequently been implemented to welcome, inform and accompany the candidates within all the governmental departments concerned. Although requests for information are numerous, they very rarely result in applications to the scheme. French State education qualifications remain the most in demand, particularly at the BTS (vocational qualification taken after the baccalauréat) level. This is followed by the baccalauréat (equivalent to A-Levels) and technical qualifications, and finally the CAP (vocational training qualification). Other qualifications, such as those of Jeunesse et Sports (Youth and Sports), Social Affairs or the Ministry of Employment, are however attracting a growing number of applications. Amongst the beneficiaries of the VAE, women and the unemployed are overrepresented. This scheme is currently establishing itself as an alternative to continuous training in certain specialised fields, such as the early childhood CAP, national diploma for home care workers (DEAVS) or the care worker certificate.