Global industry is undergoing profound transformation. Energy systems are becoming smarter, digital technologies are reshaping operations, and automation and AI are accelerating change at unprecedented speed.
As this transformation accelerates, one challenge is becoming impossible to ignore: ensuring people have the skills needed to thrive in this new industrial era. The convergence of energy, digitalization, automation, and sustainability is fundamentally reshaping the workforce and redefining the jobs of tomorrow.
Within this context the inauguration of the new Schneider Electric School premises in France takes on such significance. More than a milestone in education, it reflects Schneider Electric’s continued investment in people, skills development, and the future of industry.
Against this backdrop, Schneider Electric is actively turning today’s skills challenge into an opportunity, taking decisive action now to build a future-ready workforce and drive sustainable growth.
Designed to bridge the gap between education and industry the school combines hands-on learning, innovation, and industry collaboration, immersing students in the technologies and challenges they will face in their careers.
The new campus builds on a strong legacy of developing technical talent, evolving into a collaborative, industry-connected environment where students learn alongside educators and industry experts. Designed around hands-on, real-world learning, it immerses students in the technologies and challenges they will face in their careers. By showcasing the relevance and impact of industrial and technical fields, it also plays a critical role in inspiring younger generations to pursue careers in these sectors.
A school rooted in history and focused on the future
The Schneider Electric School is part of a remarkable educational journey that stretches back nearly a century. Over time, it has evolved alongside industrial and technological progress, continuously adapting its programs to reflect changing professional realities and emerging skills needs.
Founded in 1929, as “École-Atelier” with a mission to provide practical and technical training, the institution became an officially recognized Private Technical School in 1949. It has since strengthened its role in supporting industrial development, expanding its expertise across electrical, electronic and electromechanical engineering in the 1960s. Building on this legacy, Schneider Electric has long recognized that equipping people with relevant skills is essential to enable communities to participate in local economic development, while addressing the skills gap critical to industry and the energy transition. On that Schneider Electric has therefore invested early in this initiative to build a resilient, skilled ecosystem.
In recent years, its identity has become even more intricately aligned to energy and technological transformation. The official transition to the “Schneider Electric School” in 2020 reflects this strategic focus on preparing students for a future shaped by electrification, digitalization, sustainability, and intelligent infrastructure. Today, its programs also include digital technologies, cybersecurity, smart buildings, and energy management.
The Schneider Electric School, open to all and free of charge, brings together a high school and an Apprenticeship Training Centre (CFA). Since 1962, it has trained more than 2,100 graduates. Today, the school places students and apprentices at the heart of its mission through a human-centered pedagogical approach, combining personalized learning pathways, work-study apprenticeships, and strong academic and industrial partnerships.
In 2026, Schneider Electric School enters a new chapter as it recently opened a new campus, bringing together pre-baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate programmes in a single location The Schneider Electric School now offers 12 classrooms and 7 workshops, creating a more coherent and immersive learning environment, with its new building.
Pre-degree programs:
- Seconde Métiers du numérique et de la transition énergétique: introduces students to technological and professional pathways, with strong focus on science, mathematics and practical learning. It prepares learners for progression into the STI2D Baccalaureate, providing a broad scientific and technological foundation aligned with environmental challenges, across areas such as digital systems, networks, and energy management, while offering personalised support to meet diverse learning needs.
- BAC Pro MELEC: prepares students for careers linked to electricity, connected environments, and energy performance of buildings and installations, while allowing progression to BTS-level programmes.
Post-degree programs:
- BTS Electrotechnique: prepares students to design and manage electrical systems, smartgrid and connected electrical environments, with digital coloring
- BTS FED: prepares students to work on energy-efficient buildings, combining home automation, energy management, automation solutions smart building and building safety.
- BTS CIEL: advances students understanding across digital infrastructures, including cybersecurity, IT, and networks, supporting applications across industry, services, and data-driven environments.
- Licence Professionnelle BCGIE: in partnership with Université Grenoble Alpes, focused on advanced technical solutions for energy management in buildings, preparing students for senior technician roles.
A growing demand for energy and digital skills
The French renewable energy sector alone now supports more than 775,000 jobs across direct, indirect, and induced employment. Energy technologies are driving strong demand for skilled professionals across technical and engineering disciplines.
Many of these jobs are linked to local infrastructure projects, reinforcing the importance of regional skills development and long-term employment opportunities across France.
At the same time, demand in digital engineering and industrial technology continues to rise. Recent employer outlooks indicate that more than 60% of companies expect hiring volumes to increase in 2026 compared to the previous year, particularly in automation, smart infrastructure, cybersecurity, eco-design, AI integration, and energy management.
To meet the above, companies require professionals who can operate at the intersection of energy and digital technologies, with a strong understanding technical systems, sustainability, interoperability, data, and operational efficiency.
Real-world learning
One of the strongest reflections of the Schneider Electric School’s history and impact comes directly from its students and alumni.
Alumni Baptiste Manuel recalls arriving at the school from a vocational electronics background without any knowledge of building management systems. Through mentorship, exposure to real technologies, and practical learning experiences, he discovered a field that combined automation, energy management, and intelligent building operations.
Today, as co-founder of Alp’Tech Building Solutions, alongside his partner Steven Sauzet who is also a graduate from Schneider Electric School, he works on designing and supporting smart building projects focused on energy performance, automation, occupant comfort, and sustainable operations.
His story highlights the value of learning through direct experience and exposure, a teaching approach that the embedded in Schneider Electric School and reflected in the journeys of current students like Romain Bouchet and Olga Nomova, who emphasise the benefits of learning alongside companies and industry professionals.
Inclusion and partnering for the future
Beyond technical excellence, the Schneider Electric School is also built around a human-centred approach on employability.
Its impact is reinforced through strong collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, public authorities, and academic partners. Schneider Electric contributes through expertise, industry exposure, and equipment donation support, helping bridge the gap between education and real-world practice.
The Schneider Electric School underscores that advancing technology must be matched by sustained investment in skills to power a sustainable future.
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