Discover Université Grenoble Alpes

PEP'S is a national project led by Schneider Electric France as part of France 2030—Skills and Careers of the Future. It addresses the growing need for skills in the electrical sector to support the energy and digital transitions.

Co-led with the Smart Energy Systems Campus for Trades and Qualifications of Excellence (CMQe SES), it brings together industry representatives, training institutions, and public sector stakeholders to advance training programs and enhance the appeal of careers in the sector.

The "Université Grenoble Alpes," through Grenoble INP - Ense³ and the GEII department at IUT1, contributes to the development and testing of new training modules that incorporate, in particular, digital twins for microgrids and smart buildings.

Background and Issues

The electric power sector is facing significant changes in its job market, with nearly 200,000 new jobs expected by 2030. In addition to the traditional jobs related to the design, operation, maintenance, and safety of electrical installations, The focus is now on digital technologies, smart energy management, cybersecurity, connected buildings, and renewable energy.

Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region—a leader in hydroelectric and nuclear power generation—the project draws on a local ecosystem that brings together industry, higher education, vocational training, and local governments to test new educational approaches before rolling them out nationwide.

France 2030 Goal

• Decarbonization of industry, advanced technologies for energy systems, solutions for sustainable cities, and innovative buildings

Main Areas of Focus

The project is developing a modular, career-oriented educational program covering all levels of qualification, from the CAP to engineering degrees and master's degrees. It is designed for a wide range of participants: high school students, apprentices, college students, employees, job seekers, and people seeking career transitions.

To achieve these objectives, the project is structured around four key actions:

• Instructional Design:
  Design of new training modules incorporating digital twins, virtual and augmented reality, e-learning, educational chatbots, connected models, and real-world simulations.
• Pilot Program:
  Rollout of the new modules at partner institutions to assess their impact, enhance training programs, and ensure their accessibility.
• Distribution:
  Making resources available in open and interoperable formats to facilitate their reuse at the regional, national, and international levels.
• Attractiveness:
  Awareness-raising initiatives to promote training programs and careers in the electrical sector, with a particular focus on increasing female participation and accessibility.

For theUniversité Grenoble Alpes, the project is organized around three main areas:

• To enhance the curriculum at IUT1 and Grenoble INP - Ense³ by incorporating new educational modules and immersive tools that address the challenges of the energy transition
• Enhance the appeal of careers in the energy transition by developing awareness-raising initiatives, particularly the workshop on energy efficiency as part of the Energy@School program, which is aimed at high school students.
• Promote the dissemination of educational innovations by designing a mobile prototype based on open hardware—one that can be replicated in other schools—and by producing resources and guides that facilitate the adoption of the tools developed.

The Project at a Glance

Truck Driver / Pilot	Schneider Electric France
Partners / Consortium Members	Smart Energy Systems (SES) Campus for Trades and Excellence in Skills GRETA in Grenoble GRETA Nord-Isère Université Grenoble Alpes : IUT1 and Grenoble INP - Ense3 France Education International (MENJ) Schneider Electric School (governing body) France Travail Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tenerrdis Competitiveness Cluster Strategic Committee for the New Energy Systems Sector Nolej (SAS) Vertical Innovation (LLC)
Funding Sources	France 2030
Amount of Funding	Total project cost: €4.9 million, of which €1.8 million is funded by France 2030
Project Duration	4 years
Launch Date	April 2026