University Institutes of Technology wish to train more alternating students in companies. A subject discussed Thursday, November 22, at the IUT Assises in Brittany.

In Brittany, more than one student in IUT (Institut Universitaire de Technologie) out of five is in apprenticeship. This represents 1,800 students out of the 9,000 enrolled in the eight IUTs in Brittany. A figure that could increase in the coming years. Indeed, as part of a reform of the undergraduate university, the government is thinking of setting up a DUT in three years from the start of 2019, which would give a large place to learning.

"A path of excellence"

This project is favorably viewed by the IUTs, who could gain in attractiveness. "In five years, we could imagine 25 to 30% of alternating students , " projects Patrice Kermorvant, director of the IUT Vannes, where are held until today the Assises IUT of Brittany. "Until a few years ago, alternation had a negative image. Today, mentalities have evolved, " welcomes Gilles Le Certen, director of the establishment of Rennes.

More alternates would also help to meet the needs of businesses . "In France the system is being reformed. We consider it a path of excellence, " says Magalie Bibard, Employment and Training Manager at Medef Bretagne.

Theo, Manon and Lena, students of the IUT of Vannes made this choice. All three are in professional license, as the vast majority of the alternates of IUT Breton (78%, against 19% in DUT and 3% in DU). Learning allows them to combine courses and paid work experience.

A gateway to employment

But the road was sometimes tortuous to find a company that agrees to train them. "Companies prefer to have trainees, because they are less expensive," regrets Theo, 20, under license pro Commerce and alternately in a large sports store. "Often, they do not know the help they are entitled to," he adds. Patrice Kermorvant acknowledges: "In some sectors, like statistics, companies do not have the culture of learning, but that begins to change .

For these young people, apprenticeship is a gateway to employment, but not an end. "I plan to continue my studies in master's degree," says Lena, a pro licensing marketing decision-maker, who spends one month in class and one month in a company. Same observation for Manon, in SIS (Statistics and Informatics for Health), which alternates teaching in Vannes and work in Lyon.

After the apprenticeship, the Assises are interested this Friday in the integration of technological graduates, still underrepresented in the IUT. They will be, perhaps, the alternates of tomorrow.