Discover Université Grenoble Alpes

Under the auspices of the Industrial Association of Electric Power Network Companies (FIERE), the national consortium brings together ten major economic players from industry, education, research, and employment around an ambitious program focused on attracting talent and providing training.

The University of Grenoble-Alpes (Université Grenoble Alpes , UGA), through its constituent institution Grenoble INP - UGA—and in particular its engineering school for energy, water, and the environment (Ense3)—makes a vital contribution to this initiative, leveraging its unique scientific ecosystem to support the energy transition.

Background and Issues

The electricity sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, marked by the decarbonization of the economy and the large-scale integration of renewable energy. This transformation presents major challenges:

• 
  's Technical Evolution The transition from a centralized production system to a decentralized, digital model requires new technical skills.
• The Capacity Crisis
  Modernizing electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure requires a large number of qualified professionals.
• The Adaptability of Skills
  It is imperative to quickly align initial and continuing training with the actual needs on the ground to ensure the safety and efficiency of networks.

France 2030 Goal

• Achieving a successful energy transition through energy sovereignty and the reindustrialization of the power grids.

Main Areas of Focus

Five major objectives guide this five-year work program:

• Enhance the appeal of technical careers, particularly among young people and women.
• Develop an educational resource center to bring together a collection of educational resources.
• Offer electrical engineering courses tailored to the needs of companies in the industry, ranging from the vocational high school diploma to the two-year post-secondary degree.
• Offer specialized higher education programs, ranging from a bachelor's degree (bac +3) to a master's degree (bac +5).
• Develop and promote career transitions into the electric power grid sector by establishing appropriate pathways, particularly for job seekers and young people entering the workforce.

For Grenoble INP–UGA, this consortium represents a major opportunity to expand its educational offerings, in line with its longstanding expertise in energy systems and electric grids. Starting in 2026, Ense3 will focus on the following areas:

• Evolution of Electrical Engineering
  Adapting the curriculum to address emerging challenges (grid and demand flexibility, resilience and security of critical infrastructure, transition away from fossil fuels in power generation and consumption, and integration of new technologies).
• Recruitment Development
  Enhancing the appeal of programs of excellence to increase the number of engineers trained and meet socioeconomic needs.
• Educational Modernization
  Expanding technical facilities and developing "hands-on" learning formats to accommodate a more diverse audience.
• Inclusion and Career Transition:
  Support for people undergoing career transitions, those who are far from the job market, or anyone wishing to pursue a career in the energy transition sector.

The Project at a Glance

Truck Driver / Pilot	Enedis
Partners / Consortium Members	Enedis RTE Nexans France Travail Apprentis d’Auteuil Foundation Campus for Trades and Certifications (CMQ) Smart Energy System CMQ Construction and Digital Applications, Claude Bernard University - Lyon 1 National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (CNAM) Grenoble INP–UGA National School of Energy, Water, and the Environment (Ense3).
Funding Sources	France 2030
Amount of Funding	22 million euros, of which 9 million euros are funded by France 2030
Project Duration	5 years
Launch Date	January 1, 2026