Plastics and composite materials

Develop your expertise in plastics and composite materials, particularly sought after in this high-tech industry. These 3 years of training at IMT Nord Europe will reconcile your theoretical knowledge and practical skills and give you a 5-year degree, accessible through continuing education or an apprenticeship.

More informations: Polyvia Formation

Composite professions

With the growing need for plastics and composite materials and the life cycle management required to limit their environmental impact, the engineer’s work is particularly broad. As is the scope of activity which includes, for example, making vehicles lighter, disability inclusion and improving sports equipment.

Practical training

This is a work-study course with training at IMT Nord Europe and a host company. You will be monitored by a tutor, a college teacher, who ensures there is an ongoing and formalised relationship between the apprentice and their mentor. The latter, an experienced manager in the company organises your work and monitors it. The content of the assignments and the skills assessment established between you and the company are validated by IMT Nord Europe.

Academic training

The Plastics and composite materials course gives you the fundamental concepts in scientific, technological as well as human fields. A company work placement enables you to put all this knowledge into practice but also take responsibility or to work as part of a team. This dual teaching approach is particularly effective because you learn applied skills very quickly. It requires a significant amount of individual work, which cultivates a sense of initiative, autonomy and independence. A 6-month company project completes the course.

The teaching 

The training consists of 8 Teaching Units over the 3 years:

  • Materials TU
  • Manufacturing processes TU
  • Product design TU
  • Engineering sciences TU
  • Industrial efficiency TU
  • Management, international culture TU
  • Sustainable Development TU
  • Projects TU

Apprenticeship projects and assignments

Apprenticeship projects are managed in partnership with the host company.

1st year: the induction

  • Assignment 1: operator induction (6 weeks)
  • Assignment 2: technician induction (14 weeks)
  • 1st year apprenticeship report to be written

2nd year: 2 projects (17 weeks)

Develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical thinking with:

  • a scientific and/or technical project
  • a monograph project

3rd year: end of course project (24 weeks in a company)

The end of course project develops the apprentice’s skills in project management and their critical and analytical mind.

I obtained a scientific baccalaureate with an Engineering Sciences option then took a Foundation Class at the Grandes Écoles Physique-Chimie (PC). This does not seem to be the best profile for an apprentice looking for a company: I was inexperienced in the field, but strong in theory and scientific notions. I was accepted by IMT Nord Europe in partnership with Polyvia Formation, in order to combine the training offered by a major engineering school with a work placement. I am now working as an engineer in Product Development, Plastics and Composite Materials at Hutchinson Montargis, a car parts manufacturer. My versatility is an essential part of this position: I like being able to combine several disciplines to be able to manufacture a product of varying complexity. I don’t have a preferred field after my graduation but I am aiming for the highest level: Engineering PhD.

Emré IZMIR