SKILLS AND EXPERTISE REQUIRED FOR ACCOMPLISHING PROJECTS
Dunkirk offers a range of extensive academic training complemented by a panel of professional training centres dedicated to industry jobs, thereby providing the operational skills that companies need.
The University Littoral Côte d’Opale hosts 8,848 students (2018-19):
- The University Littoral Côte d’Opale is ranked as the 6th best university in France in the “science, technology and health” category (Ministry of Education, 2015)
- Two new engineering schools (EILCO and IMT Nord Europe) have launched an energy engineering degree in Dunkirk.
Because of its industrial past, Dunkirk has acquired a noble reputation in demanding and highly technical sectors (energy, automobile, health, etc.) thanks to the involvement of the men and women working in local companies.
- Dunkirk is the leading industrial and maintenance services centre for the Hauts-de-France region.
- The significant presence of subcontractors, engineering firms and design offices assures local companies that they will benefit from expert support.
Training centre focus:
The AFPA adult professional training centre has been commissioned by the French State to conduct a study on the future skills requirements of the hydrogen sector. The survey carried out locally among industrialists will lead to the diagnosis and development of the necessary training. In the long term, the aim is to set up a technical platform and training courses that will lead to a diploma in the hydrogen sector (A-level to Master’s degree level) geared towards industrial applications, particularly in the context of industrial decarbonisation.
LAND AND REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS FOR HOSTING PROJECTS
The Dunkirk territory has a significant landholding for the development of decarbonised activities. Its offer will meet the needs of major companies as well as those of people with design offices, start-ups, research departments or consultants.
- Located on port land, the Major Industries Area (ZGI) is a turnkey site consisting of 125 ha (45 ha already reserved). Already operational, it is intended for large
industrial projects. The Major Industries Area is located in the immediate vicinity of the drinking and industrial water networks, gas network and fibre optic network
and has exceptional electricity connection capacities. The Grand Port Maritime of Dunkirk is preparing the territory’s energy transition by developing new activity
areas dedicated to decarbonisation and by preparing the networks linked to future needs (H2, water and electricity). - Euraénergie: A 5 ha innovation park located near the city centre dedicated to the fields of the energy transition and circular economy sectors. A first core building of 4,400 m2 will give project leaders a place to test their innovations and produce full-scale prototypes. There, they will also find high-level skills and cutting-edge
equipment, particularly as they come into contact with the University Littoral Côte d’Opale (ULCO) research laboratories and the two engineering schools (EILCO
and IMT Nord Europe). - Quai de Leith: A 5,600 m2 high-end tertiary centre (divisible surface areas from 150 to 900 m2) with a view of the marina. The project includes a Mercure 4-star
hotel, stores, a restaurant chain and an underground car park. The surface areas can be divided into plots of 150 to 900 m2. - Located in Dunkirk town centre, the Hôtel des Technologies is home to the ArcelorMittal Digital Lab. 40 to 50 m2 pre-equipped units are available for startups
involved in industrial and energy innovation.
“Operating costs in Dunkirk are competitive: Industrial property is 19% less expensive in the Hauts-de-France than the average of our European competitors and the employer costs (aggregate wage costs) in the production sector are 6% lower than the average of our French competitors. (Source: Net Factors Income/EY 2016)”
