Why did you choose to work at Naval Group?
After working in the trade and food-processing, I decided I wanted to specialise in industry. So, I completed a technology degree in industrial engineering and maintenance (GIM) at the University Institute of Technology in Cherbourg.
And, in 2016, I joined the Naval Group site of Cherbourg as part of a two-year work-study program. During this period, I learned the basics of the trade from my tutor, working on very tangible cases and starting to build up an internal network. Quite an opportunity indeed! I was then hired on a permanent basis as a Technician in Industrial methods, Mechanics and Machining.
My job is constantly evolving. For instance, I have had the opportunity to support innovation projects in the field of machining, to train in programming, to specialise in certain areas... Every day is different and I never get bored.
What is your typical day like?
I am currently working at the construction and assembly shipyard for the Barracuda program where several submarines are under construction, at different stages of completion. I am what we call in our jargon a “job-order technician”: I act as an interface between the teams that design the submarine’s arrangement and the operators who integrate or machine the elements on board the submarines under construction.
I am in daily contact with these different trades. I translate the data from the design office (drawings, specifications, etc.) into operating procedures. Just like instructions for assembling a piece of furniture!
More specifically, I provide support for the machining of parts or components produced on board rather than in the workshop. The constraints, tools and know-how are quite different in these two environments. On board, the machine is brought to the part, whereas in the workshop the part is brought to the machine.
What are the biggest challenges you face?
Operations are carried out in a very constrained environment and must therefore meet precision quality controls, down to a hundredth of a millimetre. In addition to having the right skills, you also need several years of experience to be autonomous because the shipyard is a very complex environment to work in. It requires a lot of discipline, attention and listening. Each situation is different depending on the ship's state of progress, and there are many stakeholders and specialities to take into consideration. People skills are very important in my job. We need each other to move forward.
Moreover, a whole R&D process is currently taking shape involving innovation projects in the field of robotization. New trades are emerging, others are evolving, including mine. These are great challenges we are taking on as a team, and a great professional challenge for me as well!