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UK Engineer wishing to relocate to France - experiences and advice

Hello, this is my first time posting and I have an enquiry which I hope this forum might be able to assist with. I am a Chartered Engineer currently undertaking consultancy work in the UK specialising in Rail Telecommunications and my ultimate aim is to relocate to Europe and in particular France. In addition to being Chartered I also have my European Engineer (Eur Ing) qualification.


At present I have just started to learn French and although I am committed I do understand that it can take a while to become proficient at it however I was wondering if there any international-based Engineering companies in France that might be interested in an English speaking Engineering resource who is willing to learn French? Are there any UK Engineers on this forum who have relocated to France under similar circumstances? If so it would be great to hear your experiences of relocating and any issues (and successes!) as a result and also what your level of French was at the time of relocating and what it is now after spending time in France.



 



Finally, I have been researching companies in France that might have a demand for my specialism (Rail Telecommunications) and I have found SNCF Engineering and Consultancy, which works both internationally and in France, and SNC Lavalin, is anyone on this forum aware of any other rail consultancies that might be worth researching?



 



This is quite a big goal so any advice would be greatly appreciated and it would be great to hear anyone else’s experiences of relocating to France, many thanks.


Parents
  • Hello John,


     Many thanks for taking the time to respond and providing some very useful information. I know speaking the language is essential to truly relocate to France but it is also good to know that there are a high percentage of companies where English is the working language too, this could help whilst I fully get to grips with the French language (which is my ultimate aim). It is also an impression achievement that you were able to become professionally proficient in French within 18 months. I intend to fully integrate into society there, I have a lot of French friends and personal connections to France so if I am lucky enough to relocate I will have plenty of opportunity to socialise and build my French outside of work.


    You mentioned that CEng is not recognised in France but Eur Ing is known, at what level do French Engineers rate Eur Ing and is there a French CEng equivalent?


    Many thanks again for responding and sharing your experiences (and impressive achievement), it is much apprecated.


    Regards,


    Matthew.
Reply
  • Hello John,


     Many thanks for taking the time to respond and providing some very useful information. I know speaking the language is essential to truly relocate to France but it is also good to know that there are a high percentage of companies where English is the working language too, this could help whilst I fully get to grips with the French language (which is my ultimate aim). It is also an impression achievement that you were able to become professionally proficient in French within 18 months. I intend to fully integrate into society there, I have a lot of French friends and personal connections to France so if I am lucky enough to relocate I will have plenty of opportunity to socialise and build my French outside of work.


    You mentioned that CEng is not recognised in France but Eur Ing is known, at what level do French Engineers rate Eur Ing and is there a French CEng equivalent?


    Many thanks again for responding and sharing your experiences (and impressive achievement), it is much apprecated.


    Regards,


    Matthew.
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