The University of Materials has opened its new campus

Jean Castex, Chief Executive of the SNCF Group, and Stéphane Le Foll, President of Le Mans Métropole, Mayor of Le Mans and former minister, inaugurated the new campus of the Université du Matériel, in Le Mans, in the presence of Alain Krakovitch, Deputy Chief Executive of SNCF Voyageurs and Director of Rolling Stock, and Antoine de Rocquigny, Director of SNCF Immobilier and Chairman of S2FIT.

This event marked the culmination of a transformation process launched in September 2023 to adapt SNCF Voyageurs’ training provision to changes in the rail market, centred on four key requirements:

• openness to new audiences, such as specialised organisations or external companies;
• adaptability, with training programmes tailored to specific types of rolling stock and new tools such as virtual reality;
• proximity, via a multi-site network located as close as possible to the technical centres;
• employability, to secure the skills of tomorrow.

Located right next to Le Mans railway station, the new campus replaces the former Technoparc des 24h site, which had been in use since 2010 but had become too far from the station and ill-suited to educational needs.

This choice of location embodies a genuine, determined commitment: to provide training as close as possible to clients. Accessible in 9 minutes by bus from Le Mans railway station, as well as by bike or on foot, the new campus minimises trainees’ journey times, makes it easier to recruit trainers and maximises the institution’s visibility on a boulevard with over 11,500 vehicles passing by each day.

It comprises three buildings spread over 2 hectares: a training block with 34 classrooms and 11 technical rooms; an industrial workshop block covering 1,103 m² that replicates the conditions of a technical centre; and an accommodation and catering block with 75 rooms, featuring leisure and sports facilities to foster a sense of community amongst trainees.

This new campus is the culmination of a project developed in collaboration with Le Mans Métropole, which is providing 10 per cent of the funding. It is a way for the Université du Matériel to establish a lasting presence in Le Mans, whilst reaffirming its role as a leading institution in railway training at both regional and national levels.

The campus has been designed to meet stringent environmental standards: a layout that promotes sustainable transport, energy-efficient buildings and photovoltaic roofs. It has been awarded one certification, HQE, and two labels: Biodivercity, for its integration into the local biodiversity, and Accessibility, with signage designed in collaboration with Atipy to meet the needs of all users, including those with reduced mobility.

Take a look at the photos from the opening ceremony on 30 September