With 95% of electricity derived from renewable sources in 2024, France has never produced or consumed so much carbon-free electricity.The operators of extra-high-voltage networks have therefore undertaken major investments to maintain and strengthen this infrastructure, some of which dates from the 1950s. These investments also aims at supporting the development and connection of new producers and consumers.

Expectra and Eiffage Énergie Systèmes have created a programme specially designed to meet the specific needs of these projects. This initiative aims to tackle staff shortages by teaching the skills required to design extra-high-voltage overhead lines in the five engineering offices operated by Eiffage Énergie Systèmes.

Previously, the “classic” training for the job of engineering office technician was based on a three-year apprenticeship. The new approach co-created by Expectra and Eiffage Énergie Systèmes involves 12 months of block-release training and offers candidates direct access to a technician’s role, on a permanent contract, in an Eiffage Énergie Systèmes engineering office.

The first session welcomes 14 people, and this will be renewed in subsequent years. The theoretical part will take place in Le Mans and the practical one will be split between Nîmes, Verquin and Strasbourg. At the end of the course, the future engineering office technicians will receive a degree-level professional qualification.

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