ETF and the Charleville-Mézières University Institute of Technology: a partnership that opens doors for students
Because careers in the rail sector are best discovered on the job, ETF has formed a partnership with the IUT in Charleville-Mézières to support students as they explore the sector and to help them enter the workforce. This collaboration offers students on the Bachelor’s degree programme in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at real-life railway construction sites through site visits, work placements and work-study schemes.
A hands-on introduction to careers in the rail sector
Through this partnership, ETF is opening the doors to its worksites and sharing its expertise with future professionals in the fields of health and safety.
Today, two work-study students have already joined the ETF teams. Téo has joined the Suite Rapide RRI as a QPE (Quality, Health and Safety, Environment) work-study student, whilst Pierre is continuing his apprenticeship at the MMI branch. The team has also been strengthened by the arrival of Anas, an intern at the RGI branch, who will continue his studies at ETF on a work-study programme (third year of the BUT) from the start of the new academic year.
Working directly alongside operational teams, these young talents are developing their skills and discovering the realities of the railway sector.
In addition to the work-study scheme, several students have also carried out practical projects in real-world conditions. Using the Captiv equipment provided by their educational institution, they have carried out precise measurements on ETF construction sites. This innovative system is used to analyse working postures, identify high-risk situations and make recommendations regarding ergonomics and safety. This approach offers significant added value, both for operations and for the students’ professional development.
Site visits at the heart of the action
The students also take part in site visits to ETF’s rapid track maintenance projects. These immersive experiences offer them a practical insight into the specific nature of the railway sector, where many operations are carried out during service interruptions to minimise the impact on traffic.
In this way, they learn about the organisation of the works, the technical constraints, the safety requirements and the coordination essential to the success of these operations.
Training tomorrow’s talent today
Through this partnership with the Charleville-Mézières University Institute of Technology (IUT), ETF reaffirms its commitment to bridging the gap between the academic and business worlds. By comparing theoretical learning with real-world situations, students gain a comprehensive overview of projects and a better understanding of the sector’s operational challenges.
This approach helps develop the skills of future professionals whilst helping to make careers in the rail sector more attractive to younger generations.