A look back at the welcome day for work-study students at DR SUD
On 16 October 2025, the Southern Regional Division was delighted to welcome its new intake of work-study students for 2025/2026 to the brand new site in Amilly (45).
A day filled with discovery, sharing and conviviality, bringing together work-study students, their managers and partner schools.
The aim: to encourage intergenerational exchange, pass on expertise and create a genuine community of work-study students based on shared values.
Beyond presentations and meetings, this event marks an important step in building inter-agency synergy and promoting our professions.
A wonderful collective energy to launch this new intake under the best possible circumstances!
A rich and inspiring programme
The day began with a presentation by Laurent FONTAINE, Regional Director South, offering work-study students an overview of our missions, our values and the key role played by the Regional Directorate South within ETF.
Then, James DOUYERE, Managing Director of ETF, shared an inspiring testimony: his own career path, which began with a work-study programme, perfectly illustrates the opportunities and prospects for advancement offered by this scheme.
It was a powerful and motivating moment for all these young talents who aspire to build their future in the railway industry.
Awareness and commitment
The day also highlighted two essential aspects that embody ETF’s values and commitments:
- Safety, the cornerstone of our business and an absolute priority on all our sites.
- Human resources, with a focus on our policy of supporting work-study students and the diversity of career paths within the company: The HR teams highlighted the challenges of recruiting work-study students, who are key players in our future, and emphasised the importance of personalised monitoring and local support to promote their integration and professional development.
Focus on the synergy in Amilly (45)
The work-study students then discovered the new dynamic of ETF in Amilly (45) through a presentation and a tour of the equipment park, a powerful symbol of the synergy between the catenary assembly platform (PLAC) and the Centre agency.
A concrete example of inter-site cooperation in the service of performance and innovation.
Practical and inclusive workshops
To round off the day, the work-study students took part in a virtual reality workshop in partnership with Trajeo’h, aimed at raising awareness of disability and promoting a culture of inclusion, a core value of ETF.
It was an immersive and memorable experience, reminding us that diversity and respect for everyone are essential levers for cohesion and collective success.
