In engineering schools, the success of nuclear training

Margaux Fodéré, edited by Gauthier Delomez 06:18, October 05, 2022

With the energy crisis and government announcements to relaunch nuclear power, more and more young people are convinced of the importance of this sector.

In recent years, nuclear specialties in engineering schools have met with great success, in particular this year with the batch of government declarations to relaunch the sector.

The effect of government announcements

"Since the announcement of the President of the Republic in Belfort in February 2022, I believe that there is a certain effect of arousing vocations for certain young students", rejoices Noël Camarcat, head teacher of the New Nuclear France Chair at the School of Mines in Paris.

In this course, students study future EPR plants or even small modular reactors.

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In two years, the number of students in this class has doubled.

Lilia is one of the 18 students who follow the training, convinced that nuclear power helps to fight against global warming.

"It will allow us to decarbonize our economy, to electrify society. It was essential for me to work in a field that has its role to play."

Respond to the labor shortage

In the four other engineering schools that Europe 1 has contacted, nuclear specialties are also filling up.

CentraleSupélec, Arts et Métiers, Grenoble INP - Phelma, and also Polytechnique where Dominique Rossin, director of education, notes the enthusiasm of the students.

"The number of students has jumped from ten students in 2017 to more than fifty in 2022. I think it makes sense today to say that nuclear power is one of the ways in the energy mix that will allow energy transition," he says.

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These future graduates are very valuable: it will be necessary to recruit 4,000 engineers per year to support the development of new projects, according to the Nuclear Safety Authority.