VAE / IDPE

ITECH has introduced a VAE (Validation of Learning Through Experience) system to enable students to earn the ITECH engineering certificate through lifelong learning. 

What is VAE?

This VAE system enables students to earn all or a part of a qualification (diploma, professional title or professional qualification certificate) based on his/her professional experience, i.e. certification of the skills he/she has acquired through experience, whether salaried, non-salaried (shopkeeper, shop assistant, self-employed, farmer, craftsman, etc…) or voluntary (with a union or association). This experience, which must be connected to the qualification in question, is validated by a jury.

Who can apply for VAE?

Anyone, regardless of his/her age, nationality, status and level of qualifications, with at least three years of salaried, non-salaried or voluntary experience. 

IDPE: State-Qualified Engineer 

The state-qualified engineer’s certificate (DPE) award procedure enables those working as engineers to obtain a qualified engineer’s certificate by validating their professional experience and learning. 

Who can apply?

Any candidates who can provide proof of 5 years of professional practice in the functions generally entrusted to engineers.

When?

For each year, notice of the opening of the examination is published by the minister for higher education in the Journal Officiel de la République Française (Official Journal of the Republic of France).

Where and how?

The application forms are available on the website of the ministry for higher education, research and occupational integration.

The application forms must be sent to ITECH within the deadline given in the ministerial notice, according to the applicant’s chosen specialist subject.

A registration fee, valid for all the examinations, is requested by the organising school. 

ITECH is accredited for the following specialist subjects: Chemistry and Materials. 

Procedure

The validation process includes an interview then, if successful, a viva voce. These examinations are used to ensure that the applicant has all the skills expected of an engineer. These examinations are organised by specially accredited schools.

Each school forms a special jury which examines the candidates and reports to a national jury, following the various examinations, on whether it recommends awarding the applicants the state-qualified engineer’s certificate (DPE).

The certificates, stating that masters status has been awarded, have been issued free of charge by the ministry since publication in the Journal Officiel de la République Française n°188 on the 13^th August 2005 of the order dated the 2^nd August 2005. 

Association of state-qualified engineers?

There is a society of state-qualified engineers (SIDPE), a registered non-profit organisation, whose members can offer help with this process based on their experience.
http://www.sidpe.info