Nicolas Crespin, 26, accepted a one-year work/study contract with SPIE Sud-Ouest in Bordeaux, France, about 140 km from his home. As a trainee, he spends 80% of his time at the company and 20% at school completing his business management degree. In his role, Nicolas is in charge of cost studies, handling consultations with suppliers, monitoring worksites, procurement, problem-solving, and budget management. He works on construction projects like an office building. Nicolas feels SPIE provides good opportunities for young recruits, as his supervisor gives good advice and empowers him to learn his profession.

1. Nicolas Crespin, 26, comes from southwestern France. When the opportunity for a one-year work/study
contract came up at SPIE Sud-Ouest, he didn’t hesitate to take it, even though it was in Bordeaux,
about 140 kms away from his home. He talks about his integration into the company.
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INTERVIEWS
WITHOURSO SPIEPEOPLE
“SPIE gives
young recruits
an opportunitys”
Tell us about your training.
Nicolas Crespin: This year, I will complete a professional degree in Business Management
in western France. Last summer, I sent my application to a branch of SPIE where I come
from. A short time later, the branch of SPIE Sud-Ouest in Bordeaux contacted me for
interviewing me for a Business Manager trainee position. I accepted, and joined the team in
September 2017. I spend 80% of my time in the company and 20% at my school.
What roles do you play?
N.C.: I’m in charge of cost studies. Supervised by the Activity Manager, I handle consultations
with suppliers, monitoring worksites, material procurement, problem-solving and budget
management. I sometimes have to manage the subcontractors. At the moment, I’m working
on the construction of an office building. This job requires to be well-organised and have
technical and contractual knowledge and a sense of coordination and planning, as well as
notions of management.
What support have you been given as a trainee?
N.C.: I think that SPIE provides good opportunities for young recruits. As soon as I arrived in
the company, the whole team made me feel welcome and I felt supported by my immediate
superior. Always giving me good advice, he’s showing me the ropes of my profession, and
he’s empowering me. It’s very rewarding.