FI²SA (International Engineers by Apprenticeship) : Tailor-made managers for your international operations

Aiming to enhance your international strategy? Finding it difficult to recruit locals for your international subsidiaries? The I²FA program provides a solution to this common problem. This is a 2 -year apprenticeship program at master level that trains graduates from your target countries, providing them with the same technical and managerial skills as a French ‘ingénieur’.

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International Engineers by Apprenticeship

During their two years in France your FI²SA acquires a ‘cultural bridge’ understanding how things work both in France and their home country – thus creating a valuable link between your French headquarters and your subsidiaries abroad.

FI²SA is an example of ‘win-win-win’ globalization

The student ‘wins‘ – a unique international experience, an MSc and an entry-level management position in their home country.
ESA ‘wins‘ – the diversity of an ever-expanding international student body.
Your company ‘wins‘ – a made-to -measure manager for your international development.

Objectives

The main objectives of this program are to accompany partner companies in their international development and to offer a unique company-sponsored MSc to international students. ESA has a network of 150 university partners worldwide enabling the recruitment of potential candidates and a long experience in training ingénieurs by apprenticeship. This combination of international presence and pedagogical expertise makes the FI²SA a unique program. Sandwich courses teach apprentices how to structure their work, how to take the initiative and how to build autonomy – the building blocks to the profile our partners look for in their international recruits, while the strong emphasis on intercultural training during the program is key in developing the ‘cultural bridges’ that our partner companies so value for their international development.

Testimony

Emanuela Fippi, Industrial Talent Manager, Groupe Lactalis

“I have been chief coordinator of the FI²SA program within the Lactalis Group since 2018. I have seen young engineers form around the world evolve and learn our methods and values. The program allows them to transmit skills, values and know-how to local branches and to contribute to the growth of the company. Since the inception of the FI²SA program, most of our students have held positions of increasing responsibility in their respective countries and today many are in charge of production or plant management. This proves that the program is extremely beneficial to both the students and the company.”

Admissions

Since 2002, over 250 FI²SA Ingénieurs, from 37 countries, working for 36 companies, have graduated with flying colours. Our principal partners are Groupe Lactalis, Vilmorin, Cooperl, LDC, Euralis, Axéréal.