Young engineers increasingly go to engineering companies, and less to industry

Young French engineers are increasingly going to work in engineering companies, design offices and IT services companies and a little less in the industry directly, shows the annual study of the association Engineers and Scientists of France (IESF) made public a few days ago.

Over the last two years, 11% of young graduates from engineering schools have been recruited by engineering companies and design offices (which are often subcontractors to industry, Editor's note), while the proportion of engineers working in design offices was only 7% until now.

On the other hand, "there are slightly fewer young engineers entering (36%) the industry", while the proportion of engineers present in this sector was 38% until now, underlined Bernard Cathelain, president of IESF, during the presentation of the study.

"We see less attractiveness than in the past, even if industry remains (an outlet) dominant compared to other sectors" for young graduates of engineering schools, he said.

Overall, professional integration is "doing well", the study indicates, despite a "slight deterioration" observed compared to last year in the number of permanent contracts and in the level of salary.

Thus, 100% of young graduates find an outlet, but the number of permanent contracts increased to 73,6% in 2023 compared to 76,5% in 2022, while the number of fixed-term contracts increased to 20,3% compared to 15,4%.

Starting salaries have fallen to 29.000 euros per year in 2023 from 34.000 in 2022 for those at the lowest level (first quartile), and to 42.500 euros from 43.500 euros for those at the highest level (third quartile).

Feminization is not progressing, women represent 29% of the 46.500 newly graduated engineers in 2023, and 24,2% of the 1.137.000 engineers working in the country, figures almost stable compared to last year.

"The survey shows that we are at a plateau for the number of female engineers, between 26 and 29% since 2011," underlines Marie-Liesse Bizard, president of the observatory of scientific engineers, in the study.

Concern in this area is growing "due to the decline in the number of young girls in preparatory classes for grandes écoles and in engineering schools", added Mr Cathelain, who nevertheless says he is "opposed" to the establishment of a quota system.