What are Evolutive Learning Factories ELF)?  

ELFs are a program that aims to transform Arts et Métiers campuses Arts et Métiers Industry 4.0 training factories, with production lines representative of the Industry of the Future, and backed up by digital twins.

The goal: to modernize our educational platforms by updating existing equipment and integrating new technologies that reflect the digital, energy, and ecological transformation of the industry.  

On each campus, the organization is being redesigned so that everyone has their own training factory, with a design line, a production line, and a supply chain. These will be evolving and innovative environments, equipped with demonstrators from our research laboratories.

The ambitions of Evolutive Learning Factories to:

1. DEVELOP students' skills through practical projects focused on digital and ecological transition issues and significant exposure to industrial realities.
2. SUPPORTING industries through continuing education, collaborative research, and co-development
3. SHOWCASE what solutions the industry of the future could look like, in particular by opening up the premises to middle and high school students.  

By 2027, and with a budget of €85 million, the program will:

• Transforming technology platforms by providing financial support for the acquisition of new machines and the creation of connected spaces
• Modernize buildings  
• Develop new teaching practices focused on 4.0 technologies  
• Supporting staff in developing new skills and adapting to different ways of working 

A dynamic program made possible by public-private co-funding

More than 60 projects, mainly involving equipment purchases, are currently being rolled out across France. In addition to public funding, the school, the Société des Ingénieurs Arts & Métiers, and the Fondation Arts et Métiers to launch a multi-year fundraising campaign. 

Funded to the tune of €15 million, the program is organized around three major themes (digital and technological revolution in industry, eco-responsibility and leadership in sustainability, and innovative collaborative engineering), subdivided into 10 structural projects:

• Connected manufacturing
• Robotic manufacturing
• Digital twins and artificial intelligence
• Agile production
• Connected factory
• Energy impact
• Recycling
• Decarbonized energy
• Learning center and learning spaces
• Reconstruction of the Delage V12

Structural projects

In addition to supporting campuses, management also leads structural projects that enrich and accelerate the implementation of ELFs:

• A2ForBois, whichaims to support and develop the forestry and wood industry in the face of economic, environmental, and societal challenges, and to address the shortage of professionals;
• CAIRE, an artificial intelligence training program for all audiences to ensure the Arts et Métiers community's skills development Arts et Métiers AI with an ethical, critical, and responsible approach;
• ConfluencES, a project promoting convergence between higher education and industry, which equips campuses to better coordinate training, applied research, and regional development;
• EDLB, the first network of schools dedicated to the battery value chain (production, repair, and recycling). Supported by a consortium led by Verkor, it aims to train 1,600 people per year at various skill levels to address the challenges facing the battery industry;
• JENII, whichenables the development of digital twins for teaching and contributes to the digitization of training;
• RéCLasSIF, a national network of 15 campuses certified as "Solutions Industrie du Futur" (Industry of the Future Solutions), including the eight Arts et Métiers campuses. With an initial portfolio of 29 projects, RéCLasSIF funds industrial demonstrators focusing on digital twins, IoT, eco-design, and AI. 

Practical information

Deputy Director General, in charge of the ELF program: Véronique FAVIER
Director of ELF Development: Sébastien FERNANDEZ
ELF Communications Officer: Emilie DEDIEU