David Glijer is Director of Digital Transformationat ArcelorMittal France. He is also the sponsor of the new class of students in the Grande École Program at the Metz campus. Together with Valentin Melchior, Digitalization Project Manager for ArcelorMittal and a recent Arts et Métiers graduate, they met with students during orientation week.
Why did you agree to sponsor this new promotion?
David Glijer: The worlds of education and business coexist, and it is important to support young talent by introducing them to the industry and one of its challenges: digitalization.
What is your role as a class sponsor?
David Glijer: I want to enable students to project themselves into the industry by organizing regular meetings with teams from ArcelorMittal France, for example. But I also want to be a kind of "industrial coach" to help them explore their career choices. I would also like to be a building block, perhaps the first one, in their future professional network. I myself received this kind of support, which enabled me to get where I am today.
Are there already events planned as part of this sponsorship?
David Glijer: Digitalization will profoundly transform our industry, and ArcelorMittal France intends to become the digital benchmark in steelmaking. It is in this context that ArcelorMittal will open two digital labs in France in 2021: one in Dunkirk, in the north, and one in Uckange, about 20 kilometers from Metz. These digital labs will bring together engineers from ArcelorMittal, start-ups, and other large groups.
Students will be invited to visit the Moselle digital lab.
Graduating in March 2019, how did you end up at ArcelorMittal France in a team dedicated to digitalization?
Valentin Melchior: I always told myself that I wanted to work for a company that offered lots of opportunities and where I could play a role in its development. A company that plays a real role in everyday life and in the French economy. I also wanted to work in new technologies. That's how I ended up applying to ArcelorMittal, in the traditional way, by sending my resume and cover letter.
What are your responsibilities?
Valentin Melchior: I am responsible for cross-functional digital projects within the infrastructure department. My main project spans three years: I am in charge of deploying the infrastructure for the new-generation factory, enabling high-speed data transfer for the implementation of new digital technologies that affect all business lines. My work covers the seven ArcelorMittal France sites.
In addition to this, I manage business projects such as the computerization of truck dispatching, which allows drivers to access all orders and travel instructions between sites via an interface.
I am also a technology advisor on drones and mobile robotics.
How does your training atArts et Métiers helpArts et Métiers accomplish your tasks today?
Valentin Melchior: In addition to developing technical skills in new technologies, Arts et Métiers students to develop an appetite for them.
The Arts et Métiers program also Arts et Métiers a solid foundation in digital professions. I also acquired skills in project management and identifying issues in order to understand what is expected.
As for the rest, I'm learning as I go! I keep up with the latest technology, for example, which helps me develop my skills. Initially, I didn't have any particular knowledge about drones, but I was able to adapt and learn!
