Plastic processing

Objects made of polymers and composite materials are part of our everyday environment. Their variety comes from the special properties of these materials; indeed, the combination of different molecules means it is possible to create an infinite number of new materials. Plastic processing covers materials science, design, development and the transformation processes of these materials.

The constant discovery of new materials, biomaterials and composites ensures the continuing and significant development of the plastics industry. The average annual growth is 5%, and France is the 4th ranked country worldwide in this field.
This industry needs innovative, high-level engineers and it recruits in large numbers.

Companies that recruited the 12 students from 2009-2010: Michelin, Vale, Bourbon Automobile, Gambro, Delphi, Astra Plastic, A. Raymond, C&K component, Tecmaplast, Pôle Européen de la Plasturgie (European Plastics Centre).

You are:
 

• a first cycle student at INSA
   
• the holder of a technical college diploma in Production and Mechanical
  engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or Physical Measures,
   
• the holder of a Higher Technical Diploma in Plastic Processing.
   
• the holder of a degree in general science and technology

You can become an INSA Lyon engineer in Mechanical Engineering in Plastic Processing through apprenticeship

A training course, a trade

Upon graduation, INSA engineers who have followed this path leave the School with professional experience that opens up careers with significant levels of responsibility. They can operate in various areas: project management, development, production, methods...
The opportunities are numerous particularly in growth sectors such as aeronautics, the automotive industry, the biomedical sector, electronics and optronics.

The "Mechanical Engineering in Plastic Processing" section

INSA Lyon opened its “Mechanical Engineering in Plastic Processing” section in September 2004; this specialisation is at the crossroads between mechanics, materials and modelling processes.

This course can be followed as an ‘apprentice’ on a sandwich course, over the three year engineering programme, in partnership with the Centre de Formation des apprentis de la branche professionnelle (CIRFAP [the Centre for Occupational Training of Apprentices]). This path ensures close links with business, thus guaranteeing successful professional integration afterwards.

The apprentice contract

The apprenticeship is a sandwich course that takes places 50% at INSA Lyon and 50% in-company. The apprentice is bound to the company by a fixed term employment contract (three years). The company, through the apprenticeship mentor, contributes to the apprentice’s acquisition of skills relevant to the qualification and diploma being prepared. In return, the firm pays the apprentice a monthly salary throughout the three years of the contract.
Contrary to a student on internship, the apprentice is already an employee of the company. He/she is both a student and employee.

Teaching method
 

• Duration of training: the apprenticeship training takes place over the three year programme for Mechanical Engineering in Plastic Processing.
   
• Course Location: In the 3rd year, training is held at INSA Lyon; apprentices follow the rest of the 4th and 5th year classes on the site of INSA Oyonnax, the platform specialised in formatting polymers, biopolymers and composites. All practical training takes place in the apprentice’s host company.
   
• Degree awarded: INSA Lyon Engineers specialised in Mechanical Engineering in Plastic Processing
   
• Breakdown of the sandwich course: the programme has been specially adapted to this situation. The requirements are the same as for other engineering students. The rate of rotation between the company and the school is variable over the three years.
   
• Searching for a company: the choice of an apprenticeship means finding a company with which the apprentice contract will be signed. This search will be carried out before starting training. INSA Lyon, with its strong relations with the Centre Inter Régional de Formation Alternée de la Plasturgie (Inter-regional Centre for Sandwich Courses in the Plastics sector) can assist in this search.
   
• Living conditions at INSA: apprentices will have rooms. They will have access to the dining halls. The various associations will provide many activities, especially sports.

Tutoring

Each apprentice has a company tutor (apprenticeship mentor) who is responsible for defining his/her work, to monitor the results, and participate in the evaluation of the apprentice.
A ‘mentor-teacher’ is also assigned to monitor the apprentice’s work at school, and he/she intervenes in case of difficulties. Together, the two tutors or mentors prepare, in conjunction with the apprentice, the missions to be accomplished during the time spent in-company. Both tutors liaise with each other periodically.

International scope

Being prepared for the international environment is essential in an engineer’s training. In no case will the apprentice student-engineer be excluded from this type of training. Thus, companies with customers, partners or subsidiaries abroad and which offers possibilities of international assignments during the 3 year training programme will be preferred.