Feedback on trips taken with two students from the Cluny campus

Feedback on trips taken with two students from the Cluny campus 

As part of the "I innovate, I undertake" thematic program led by Agnès Bourg, teacher, Marylou Bousquet and Jarod Chaure, first-year students in the Grande École Program, visited the Verallia and Hydroprocess sites in Chalon-sur-Saône. Two very different industrial worlds, but equally inspiring. 

Marylou Bousquet: two industrial worlds, the same demand for innovation 

Marylou was impressed by the size of the Verallia site and the high level of automation in the production line. She discovered the entire glass manufacturing process, from mixing the raw materials to final quality control. At Hydroprocess, she was impressed by the company's leadership and international reach, particularly through the ChefCut machine, which is used by some of the biggest names in gastronomy. These visits gave her a better understanding of the different facets of the engineering profession, from mass production to customized innovation: 

These two visits showed me that the engineering profession can involve both the optimization of complex industrial processes on a large scale and the development of unique and innovative machines. 

Jarod Chauré: a hands-on immersion in the realities of the field

For Jarod, these visits were an opportunity to discover two complementary approaches to engineering. At Verallia, he was impressed by the size of the site and the organization of production. At Hydroprocess, he discovered how a small team can innovate and develop cutting-edge technologies. He learned that a well-executed idea can become a concrete and successful project. Discussions with Hydroprocess executives allowed him to address topics such as business management, R&D, and customer relations. These experiences reinforced his understanding of the engineering profession, particularly the importance of designing solutions adapted to real-world conditions, emphasizing listening, collaboration, and practicality: 

In the environments visited, certain human and professional qualities clearly stand out: active listening, the ability to understand operators' needs, a practical approach, and a strong aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration. These skills appear to be essential for effectively practicing the engineering profession within multidisciplinary teams and in demanding industrial contexts. 

Agnès Bourg: "The 'I innovate, I undertake' program allows students to explore the types, sources, and processes of innovation and discover the world of business creation and takeover." 

One-day company visits are a highlight of the Grande École Program. They provide students with a concrete opportunity to discover a variety of industrial environments, observe innovative processes, talk with professionals, and envision themselves in the jobs of the future. These immersive experiences aim to spark curiosity, sharpen observational skills, and convey a general understanding of the company. 

When I arrived at Arts et Métiers 2012, I quickly sensed and understood that some students wanted to be actively involved in their education, to propose their own personal projects, and to have access to teaching that complemented the technical and technological courses, emphasizes Agnès Bourg. So I created the J'innove, J'entreprends (I innovate, I undertake) program as part of the PJT1A projects to offer them this space within a structured educational model. The program allows them to explore the types, sources, and processes of innovation and to discover the world of business creation and takeover from an engineering perspective. Company visits are an integral part of the PJT1A module, lasting one or two days. Twenty-five students are participating in the program this year. 

Partner companies are carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including size (microbusinesses, SMEs, mid-cap companies, large corporations), regional presence, technological or managerial innovations, and the presence of founders or buyers. Another objective is to raise awareness about business transfers, which are a major issue. In France, nearly 500,000 businesses will be up for transfer over the next ten years.