ETF is actively involved in professional integration on the Laon-Hirson line.
As part of the regeneration of the 55 km Laon-Hirson railway line, ETF is actively involved in professional integration and the transfer of local expertise. Since the end of March, 37 people who had been out of work for a long time have been recruited and trained as track layers, with the aim of offering them a path to sustainable employment in the railway sector.
Specialised training to ensure railway safety
Before joining the teams in the field, recruits undergo two days of Secufer training focused on railway safety. This training is essential to ensure that all employees comply with the strict safety standards specific to the railway environment, particularly with regard to the specific risks associated with construction sites.
Hands-on learning in the field
Once the theoretical training is complete, these new employees are integrated into the construction site under the supervision of site and team managers. They learn how to handle railway equipment, discover the different tools and are gradually immersed in real working conditions. This practical phase allows them to prepare effectively to contribute to the modernisation of the line.
A strong local impact: creating sustainable employment opportunities
This commitment, in partnership with the Aisne Departmental Council, aims to boost local employment and create opportunities for residents of vulnerable areas. The goal is to achieve more than 11,000 hours of integration by the end of 2025, with rigorous monitoring of each stage of the integration process.
Prospects for permanent contracts Working towards a sustainable future
At the end of their contract, some employees will be able to extend their experience with a permanent contract. These contracts offer similar conditions to a traditional permanent contract, allowing workers to benefit from professional stability and job security in the long term. A real springboard for their professional future in the railway sector.
Austin, 20, a new start on the rails
With his contract extended until August, Austin hopes to secure a long-term opportunity. For him, this experience could well be the starting point for a future in the railway industry.
Originally from the Vosges region, Austin Guerre was working on a fixed-term contract in a paper mill. After moving to the north of France, he struggled to find a job, hampered by his lack of experience and unfamiliarity with the area. After a period of unemployment, he was referred by France Travail to ETF, where he met the HR team and a site manager. The interview went well and Austin joined the site at the end of March as a track layer.
This is his first job in the railway industry. ‘I knew nothing about this sector, but I wanted to work outdoors, not in a factory.’ On the site, he discovered a demanding but motivating job. ‘It’s physical, you can’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves, but the family-like team spirit makes all the difference. We come to work with a smile on our faces, and that changes everything.’ He appreciates the close relationship with his supervisors: ‘The bosses are nice, you can talk to them.’
Laon–Hirson: a major railway project in the heart of Thiérache
The Laon–Hirson railway line regeneration project covers 55 km, including 30.7 km of track renewal using a factory train. This vast project involves the modernisation of 28 level crossings and includes nearly 38 railway bridges.
The line passes through eight stations and is an essential transport route for the region. It provides daily transport for 1,500 schoolchildren and weekly passage for four freight trains. The project aims to improve access to rural areas by modernising this line, which is described as providing localised coverage of the region.
ETF, as project manager, is overseeing the track works and coordinating a consortium comprising several VINCI Construction entities:
- Térélian, in charge of earthworks and platform treatment,
- Eurovia, responsible for drainage and hydraulic repair works,
- Feroway, which manages the works trains.
Safety services are provided by our external partner, Sferis.
The Laon-Hirson line regeneration project is not limited to the modernisation of railway infrastructure; it also represents an opportunity for local development and sustainable professional integration. Through this initiative, ETF is demonstrating its commitment to a more inclusive and responsible future, while contributing to the improvement of this isolated railway network.
