Can you introduce us to these two new formations?
In 2017, Polytech Nancy offered its very first apprenticeship training (for information, work-study training, which only concerns the last year of training, was already possible for our students at the end of their course in the form of professionalization contracts, while the apprenticeship concerns the entire engineering cycle, i.e. the 3 years). Our goal was to develop learning over the years, and the Covid crisis allowed us to reflect on the creation of new diplomas. We also work with many companies from all sectors, such as EDF, Engie, SNCF, SPIE, EIFFAGE, FORVIA, etc., all of which have alerted us to a significant need for engineers. These two training paths “Energy, Mechanics, Materials, Environment” and “Operational Management, Maintenance and Risk Control” are very similar. Indeed, they are both on a work-study basis, are taught by teacher-researchers, and include management engineering courses in project management and improvement of industrial activities, industrial sciences, logistics management, sustainable development, etc.
To recruit future students, we first carry out a selective sorting of files with a ranking. Selected candidates will then go through an interview. We estimate that approximately 2 out of 5 students will be selected to take it.
What is the role of apprenticeship in these training courses?
Companies want to recruit new engineers as quickly as possible and many have asked us to set up this type of work-study training. Many students themselves wish to benefit from the status of apprentice to follow their studies. Generally, the rhythm is as follows: 5 weeks at school, then 4 weeks in business. This allows them to be fully invested in a single project.
International mobility is also compulsory and can take place within a subsidiary or a client of the company, or with a partner university.
In addition, it should be noted that repeating a year is not authorized in the apprenticeship route. For this, we set up specific support with different systems. This is also the case for their alternation,; the student is obliged to have a host company. He sometimes finds it alone, but we support him by organizing a forum dedicated to this search. Moreover, if he is no longer on a work-study program for a particular reason, he must find one to continue his training. To be certain of having a contract, students begin their search in June. Our partner companies such as EDF, Forvia and Siemens regularly send us work-study offers. To date, all students have always had no problem finding a contract with a company within our school. Apprenticeship is really important today and is taking more and more space in the training landscape.
What are the job opportunities at the end of these two training courses?
To enroll in one of our apprenticeship courses, the student must have a professional project. His work-study program also helps him to know whether the profession he is going to follow suits him or not. Many outlets and sectors of activity are possible. First of all, students who have taken the “Operational Management, Maintenance and Risk Management” training can work in the energy, electricity, gas, transport or nuclear sectors, for example. Various professions such as production, maintenance and research engineers, or else operations and logistics chain management manager, in the energy and environment sector, or even consulting as a project manager or charge d’affaires are then possible.
Regarding the “Energy, Mechanics, Materials, Environment” training, the sectors targeted are also those of energy and the environment, aeronautics, automotive, mechanics and materials, health, or even studies and advice. While the accessible trades are in particular those of engineer in the environment and the control of energy, and that of engineer in general mechanics.
