To kick off Industry Week, Arts et Métiers presents the results of the sixth edition of the "Young People and Industry" barometer, designed to understand and analyze how high school students in science and technology programs perceive industry.
Does French industry still attract high school students? What image do they have of it? Is it a promising sector in terms of employment, future prospects, and innovation?
To answer these questions, Arts et Métiers the results of its survey, conducted by OpinionWay among a panel of 500 high school students studying science and technology. The changing perceptions of young people regarding the industrial sector are revealed at the start of this 8th edition of Industry Week.
Do young people want to work in industry today?
47% of high school students in science or technology streams want to work in industry, a figure that has changed little since the barometer began. They are particularly interested in the renewable energy, electrical, electronic, and digital equipment sectors, as well as aeronautical and aerospace construction. In terms of their preferred work environment, the majority lean towards large French or international companies (46%), SMEs (22%), and start-ups (16%). It is the diversity of jobs available in industry that attracts them to this sector, as well as the remuneration and the opportunity for training and career development.
Confident in the future of the industry despite preconceptions
65% of high school students surveyed say they are confident about the future of industry in France, an increase of 10% since the last edition and more than 25% since the barometer was launched in 2013.
However, the industry still suffers from its weaknesses. The image of factories closing down, working conditions considered unattractive, and the idea that it is a source of pollution are recurring prejudices among the high school students surveyed.
Although 46% of high school students believe that French industry is on a par with that of other countries, 41% believe that it is lagging behind, a sentiment that has remained unchanged since the last edition. However, 94% believe in an industry of the future, which they associate with innovation, technology, and the development of robots. The energy, aeronautics, and automotive sectors are the first to be linked to the industry of the future, a podium that has remained unchanged since 2016.
The connected industry: a way to change preconceived ideas
Linked to the words "internet," "computing," "telephony," and "robot," the connected industry is perceived as a driver of innovation, efficiency, attractiveness, and job creation. Fifty-one percent of high school students envision it producing connected objects, but also companies using digital work tools. According to them, the connected industry will change the way work is organized within industrial companies, in particular by allowing the most tedious tasks to be assigned to robots, offering greater flexibility in terms of working hours and locations, and providing more autonomy. Aeronautics, automotive, and energy are the sectors that embody this new phenomenon. Fifty percent of high school students surveyed believe that at least half of French industrial companies are connected, while only 2% believe that all French industrial companies are connected, when in fact they all are!
Engineering schools: a recognized gateway to the industry
55% of high school students surveyed want to pursue engineering studies. However, they still feel poorly informed about the professions and training programs leading to careers in industry. Engineering schools and career guidance forums are their main sources of information.
Engineering schools remain the leading educational institutions associated with a career in industry, ahead of BTS/STS and IUT programs.
