Pyrénées-Atlantiques: New Specialty for the Factory of the Future
Soule’s New Robotics-Focused BTS Program Boosts Local Industry
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The program aims to train specialists to support the deployment of robotization in industry.
Soule, the smallest province in the Basque Country, is also one of the most economically dynamic, boasting a critically important concentration of industries. These companies welcome the opening of the new BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) in industrial systems maintenance, with a focus on robotics, since the start of the 2024 academic year.
This bac + 2 level course, which replaces the BTS CIM previously offered by the Souletin high school, aims to train highly sought-after specialists to support the deployment of robotization in the industry. The curriculum is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern industrial environments, emphasizing practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Sandrine Benat, head of the BTS program, explains the critical need for this training: L’implémentation des robots est freinée par le manque de techniciens de maintenance compétents sur les technologies de l’usine du futur. L’objectif du BTS est de former ces techniciens qui pourront intervenir dans tous types d’industries comme l’agroalimentaire, la métallurgie, l’aéronautique…
State-of-the-Art Technical Platform
the program’s strength lies in its ability to provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment. This practical approach is a key differentiator, attracting students who seek to apply thier knowledge in real-world scenarios.
The BTS program, offered in a work-study format, is aimed at a wide range of profiles. Sandrine Benat notes, Nous recrutons des bacs pros maintenance ou métiers de l’électricité, bac STI2D, mais aussi d’autres bacs pros techniques, des bacheliers STI2D et des bacheliers généralistes qui ont une appétence pour la technologie et souhaitent suivre des études plus pratiques.
The curriculum combines a significant theoretical base in physics, mechanics, and English with technical instruction in preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, maintenance organization, applied physics, and one hour of technical instruction in English. This blend ensures that graduates are well-rounded and prepared for the challenges of the industry.
These subjects can be applied by students to the advanced equipment that occupies the vast space of the workshop. This practical application is what convinced Lionel Fournier to join this BTS after his STI2D baccalaureate.
Lionel Fournier shares his enthusiasm: Je suis passionné de robotique. J’avais envie d’évoluer et d’apprendre de manière concrète plutôt que théorique. Ici, on peut découvrir plein de nouvelles technologies, comme la réalité augmentée, on a la possibilité de toucher à tout, d’expérimenter…
Collaborative Robots and Advanced Equipment
The BTS program benefits from a state-of-the-art technical platform, one of the most remarkable in the region. The high school of the Pays de Soule has received a subsidy of 500 000 euros from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region to equip the BTS with robots and cobots (collaborative robots) over three years.
Sandrine Benat emphasizes the program’s alignment with industry standards: Nous travaillons sur un matériel qui correspond à ce que l’on trouve dans les industries. Nous avons des robots, une ligne de production avec capteurs intégrés et, dès l’an prochain, nous compterons également un cobot et un système de pompe hydraulique. Grâce à cela, nos étudiants seront, à l’issue de leur formation, certifiés maintenance Siemens – qui représente 70 % du marché des automates programmables – et certifiés Stäubli pour la maintenance des bras robotiques.
In addition to the equipment of the Xibetek technical platform, supported by Estia and the Basque Country Community, which will be installed in the same premises and will host third-year students of the Estia bachelor’s degree. For BTS students, pathways are possible to this training or an APS prep for an engineering school, unless they prefer to enter the job market with a highly sought-after diploma.
Soule’s new Robotics Program: your Questions Answered
This article addresses common questions about Soule’s new robotics-focused BTS program,designed to boost the local industry by training specialists in industrial systems maintenance.
What is the main goal of Soule’s new BTS program in robotics?
The primary goal of the BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) program is to train specialists who can support the increasing deployment of robotization within various industries. Sandrine Benat,the head of the BTS program,highlights the critical need for skilled technicians to maintain the technologies of the “factory of the future.”
What industries will graduates of the BTS program be qualified to work in?
Graduates will be qualified to work in a wide range of industries including:
Agri-food
Metallurgy
* Aeronautics
The training is designed to be versatile, allowing technicians to apply their skills across different sectors.
What is a BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur)?
A BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) is a post-baccalaureate degree awarded in France, equivalent to a technician diploma, generally completed in two years of study (bac + 2 level). It focuses on practical skills and theoretical knowledge relevant to specific industries.This level of education aims to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce.
What kind of equipment and certifications will students work with?
Students will gain hands