The partnership between schools and businesses is no longer optional; it is at the heart of professional training. In Rennes, this partnership is particularly strong. Business schools have realized that they are not training students for an abstract market, but for real, locally based companies.
Companies in Brittany have realized that they must play an active role in training their future talent. This collaboration takes several forms. Advisory boards: companies serve on school governing bodies, approve curricula, and review course content. Professional instructors: 40–60% of courses are taught by practicing professionals, not purely academic faculty.
Projects undertaken: Each year, students are assigned over 100 real-world projects (product launches, market research, process optimization). Structured work-study programs: Not just a contract, but a collaborative program developed jointly by the school and the company with clear educational objectives. Corporate endowments: Funding for applied research on strategic topics (digital transformation, CSR, innovation).
This connection changes everything for students: instead of discovering the company after graduation, they are immersed in it during their studies. They develop practical skills that are immediately useful. They start building their professional network as early as age 20.
For businesses: they train their future employees to meet their specific needs, reduce recruitment and onboarding costs, gain access to innovation through student projects, and strengthen their employer brand. For the region: Rennes’ youth employment market benefits from this alignment between training and employment; the skills developed match local needs, and graduates stay to work locally.
This makes recruitment easier for managers: companies hire candidates they already know (through work-study programs or projects), young managers are ready to hit the ground running, and the adjustment period is shorter. This school-business partnership isn’t just about “placement”; it’s about jointly building the region’s future.
