Training for engineers from the Corps des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts

The “Ingénieurs des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts” (IPEF) is an interministerial senior government technical management body that reports jointly to the ministries responsible for sustainable development and agriculture.

Missions of the Corps des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts

The engineers of the Corps des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts are involved in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of public policies, particularly in the fields of climate, energy, regional planning and sustainable development, housing and urban development, transport, agricultural and forestry development, the management and preservation of natural land and sea areas and resources, as well as food and agro-industry.

They may be involved in management, supervision, control, inspection, study, expertise, evaluation of public policies, teaching and research, including in international organizations. Any other scientific, technical, administrative, economic or social mission may be entrusted to them by any minister.

Starting a career in the public sector

The Corps des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts training program is designed to prepare student engineers - future senior civil servants with a solid scientific and technical background - for starting a career in the public sector (State, independent administrative authorities, local authorities, public establishments, public companies):

• In managerial and project management positions, or in research or expertise positions, with significant responsibility from the very first post;
• In public action to promote sustainable development;
• On multi-stakeholder issues (local, national or international), drawing on a wide range of disciplines (mathematical engineering, construction engineering, life sciences, economics, social and political sciences).

The course is also designed to enable engineers to broaden their career paths:

• At all levels: local, national, European and international;
• In a wide range of sectors.

It also aims to enable them to evolve in their professional positions:

• Senior management then executive management;
• Researcher then high-level expert or previous case.

Recruitment

Recruitment is based on ranking on graduation from the École polytechnique, or on specific competitive examinations open to students:

• Completing the third or fourth year of a scientific section of an Ecole Normale Supérieure (Ulm, Cachan and Lyon);
• Preparing, in the final year of their studies, an engineering degree from AgroParisTech;
• Preparing, in the final year of their studies, a degree awarded by other scientific "grandes écoles" (École nationale des ponts et chaussées; École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier, Rennes, Nancy, Toulouse; École Nationale Vétérinaire).

Special competitive examinations (internal competition, external competition on the basis of qualifications and work, list of suitable candidates) also enable engineers with previous experience in the public sector or doctors to join the Corps des Ponts, des Eaux et des Forêts.

Overview of the training

For student-engineers from the École polytechnique or the Écoles normales supérieures, the training cycle lasts 2 years.

Year 1 leads to an engineering diploma from one of the two schools, AgroParisTech or École nationale des ponts et chaussées.

Year 2 is designed to prepare student engineers for their first position in public administration.

At the end of Year 2, and possibly before, engineers have the option of enrolling for a thesis.