NEW JOBS AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSFORMATION - NO BREXIT FOR SUPERGRIDS WILLIAM ELDIN, THE EMOTIONAL AI - The Agility Effect
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NO BREXIT AGILITY LEADER ABOUT AGILITY FOR WILLIAM ELDIN, HAS THE SMART CITY SUPERGRIDS THE EMOTIONAL AI SEEN ITS DAY? NEW JOBS AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSFORMATION THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE - NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018
SUMMARY EDITORIAL
AGILITY PICTURE AGILITY FOCUS THE AUTONOMOUS TRUCK ABOUT AGILITY The energy transition and the digital
AT THE CROSSROADS OF transformation, which are both crucial to
A THIRD EYE
FOR THE EXPERTS
NEW JOBS AT THE THE TRANSFORMATION HAS THE SMART the many changes currently under way, can
4 HEART OF THE 34
CITY SEEN ITS DAY? not be achieved without the women and
TRANSFORMATION 42 men whose expertise and skills make them
possible. More than ever, human capability lies
NO BREXIT 17 at the heart of the world of the future.
FOR SUPERGRIDS
6
AGILITY OPINIONS The title of the feature article in this fifth issue
SMARTER LIGHTING IS GOOD of The Agility Effect Magazine is “The new
HYDRAULICS, KEY STONE FOR BIODIVERSITY jobs at the heart of the transformation”.
OF THE NEW ZEALAND 46 New jobs are now coming on stream, others
ENERGY MIX will emerge in coming years, and some
9 THE WORKSPACE will change to accommodate these major
REVOLUTION technological challenges. We have entered
COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION
CÔTE D’IVOIRE SPEEDS UP 47
ON THE INFORMATION
IS ACCELERATING the era of smart cities, high-tech buildings,
3D PRINTING smart grids and the artificial intelligence at
SUPERHIGHWAY
A PARADIGM SHIFT 36
10
FOR COMPANIES
AGILITY PICTURE the heart of Industry 4.0.
Within companies, this constant, increasingly
18 DIJON COMBINES THIS IS
TRANSFORMATION THE WORLD’S LARGEST fast-paced disruption has generated new
“TOP-DOWN MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE OFFSHORE WIND FARM requirements and prompted a search for new
IS A THING OF THE PAST” 37 48 skills against a backdrop of labour market
20 pressure in these advanced sectors.
MORE DATA, FEWER At VINCI Energies, adaptation to change is
NEW PROFILES FOR TRAFFIC JAMS a central focus of our agile organisational
THE CITY OF THE FUTURE 38 structure and our business activities.
OPTICAL FIBRE GETS
22
A NEW LEASE ON LIFE We are therefore forging close relationships
THE “DIGITAL TWIN” MAKES
12 with engineering schools that offer curricula
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS MAINTENANCE MORE AGILE
ENERGISED BY BIG DATA 40 preparing students for the new digital
AGILITY LEADER 24 transformation and energy transition jobs.
Our world is on the move, the technological
WILLIAM ELDIN, THE BIM FOCUS
OF THE BUILDING
tools used by companies are evolving and jobs
are being transformed. We need to support
TECHNOLOGY 26
these changes, ensure their human focus
SERVING EMOTION L’IT, AGILITY PROFILE and prepare the future, day-by-day.
14 A POOL OF NEW SKILLS 50
28
Bernard Latour
AI AT THE HEART OF THE General Manager, VINCI Energies Europe
FACTORY OF THE FUTURE
30
RECRUITING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF ENGINEERS
IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE
32
24 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 3
AGILITY PICTURE
A THIRD
EYE FOR
THE EXPERTS
With its superior speed, efficiency,
safety and cost-effectiveness,
the drone is an instrument that is
particularly suitable for inspecting
critical structures and facilities
located in sensitive or difficult-
to-access areas, such as high
voltage lines in the Saudi Arabian
desert. To inspect them, power
transmission experts at Omexom
Saudi Maintenance (VINCI Energies)
recommended and implemented
the state-of-the-art technology
along nearly 900 km of transmission
lines in the Persian Gulf area
as a powerful performance driver,
and are using it as what amounts
to a third eye.
4 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 5
NO BREXIT FOR
SUPERGRIDS
The increasing share of renewables in the energy mix is
prompting Paris and London to create very high capacity
grid interconnections. VINCI Energies is responsible for
a part of the infrastructure.
The U.K. and France are planning plants. There is therefore a need
to strengthen their energy ties by for energy highways to rapidly
building a powerful electricity grid transmit electricity generated
interconnector. The high voltage from renewables in order
direct current (HVDC) undersea link to ensure continuity of service
will begin operating in 2020. This for the consumer.”
supergrid will operate at ± 320 kV DC
and have a transmission rating of The 230-km interconnector
up to 1,000 MW between the two between southern England and
countries. northern France will be able to
“One gigawatt is equal to the transfer large amounts of electricity
capacity of a nuclear power as needed. On the French side,
plant, enough to supply 500,000 Omexom Major Projects is
households,” says Arnaud Gautier, responsible for building the AC/DC
Business Unit Manager of Omexom converter station. The business
Major Projects (VINCI Energies), unit brings together the full range
which is in charge of building part of expertise required for the VINCI
of the infrastructure. project, in which VINCI Construction
Arnaud Gautier explains that is responsible for civil engineering
interconnection is being stepped and VINCI Energies TTE (energy
up to accommodate the increasing transformation and transmission)
generation of electricity from for electro-technical works.
renewable sources of energy. Solar
and wind energy sources may lie
a long way away from the places Comprehensive coordination
where the electricity is consumed. and local teams
Furthermore, he says, “Generation
from renewables is by nature Project manager Guillaume
irregular and less predictable than Romano emphasises the role of
generation in conventional power Omexom Major Projects as an
6 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 7
HYDRAULICS, KEY STONE
OF THE NEW ZEALAND
ENERGY MIX
Nearly 80% of the electricity
produced in New Zealand
is from renewable energy
sources. Although wind
power continues to progress,
water remains the main
source.
New Zealand relies mostly on
renewable energies to produce
its electricity. Water from dams
provides the most part, with 57%
of the whole amount of energy
produced. A ratio that reaches 98%
in the South Island where the large
dams are grouped together.
integrator able to comprehensively
coordinate a project on this scale,
The 230-km the many trades working on
the project and subsequently
Geothermal energy, which is aided
by the situation of a country that supplying nearly 298,000 homes. at 45% in New Zealand, is still
calling on the VINCI Group’s full interconnector it will facilitate monitoring via sits on the Ring of Fire, the Pacific To produce the same volume with particularly high for wind power
existing range of local expertise and
human resources. RTE, the French
between southern the DIGITAL SITE application”.
The IFA 2 project also offers an
Ocean’s volcanic arc, represents 16%
of the energy mix, supplemented by
wind power, it would be necessary
to build a wind farm the size
compared to the performances of
French wind farms (less than 30%
transmission system operator, England and opportunity to apply the Lean the 5% of wind power, with of 4,285 football stadiums! on average).
working with its British counterpart,
National Grid UK, to build the IFA 2
northern France Management methodology, which
optimises each stage of the works,
the proportion of this green source
of electricity continuing to rise. Ultimately, where operators usually
interconnector, particularly will provide in a large-scale project. The Te Āpiti wind farm built by Efficiency ratio supplement the energy mix with
appreciates the use of locally-hired
labour.
large-scale For VINCI Energies TTE and for
Omexom Major Projects, the Cross-
public operator Meridian Energy
in conjunction with Electrix The difference in capacity isn’t the
thermal power (coal, gas, oil), New
Zealand can make a nearly 100%
electricity Channel project, which calls on (Omexom network), the first farm only aspect distinguishing water renewable range, by turning to
In addition to design-build turnkey
construction of the building,
transmission the complementary expertise of
the VINCI Group, will make
to feed into the New Zealand grid,
produces up to 90.75 MW, enough
power from that of wind. Neil
Matheson, Business Unit Manager
hydraulics and geothermal energy.
Through the accumulation of water,
VINCI is also in charge of the full capacity when it possible to “capitalise on to supply nearly 40,000 homes. at Electrix, notes that “the efficiency the hydroelectric dam constitutes
implementation of the conversion
process for our customer ABB.
required. experience to benefit future energy
transmission projects currently on
A noteworthy performance yet
nothing in comparison with that
ratio of wind remains much inferior
to that of hydraulics”.
an energy storage system. A sort
of “natural battery”, that contributes
The large-scale project will use BIM the drawing board in Europe, Africa, of the hydroelectric dams. Yet this ratio, which measures heavily to making New Zealand
(Building Information Modeling) model is shared by all participants. the Middle East, and beyond,” With its six 90 MW-turbines, the relationship between the one of the lowest CO₂-producing
to enhance efficiency, says In the design phase, it will enable us says Arnaud Gautier. The sun the Benmore Dam totals a capacity theoretical power of an installation industrialised countries and
Guillaume Romano. “VINCI’s BIM to identify interface issues between never sets on the supergrids. of 540 MW, the equivalent of and the power effectively produced, a leading seller of carbon credits.
8 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 9
up electronic governance, which
will enable connected citizens to
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
remotely carry out administrative
formalities such as responding to
the census, paying taxes and energy
and water bills and filing requests
SPEEDS UP
for building permits.
Ivorians are also expected to be able
to access e-healthcare services and
ON THE
e-training, which will be gradually
rolled out. The goal of the public
authorities is to connect healthcare
and education facilities to the
INFORMATION
optical fibre network.
SUPERHIGHWAY
Telecommunications
operators will install
mobile telephone
access points
on the optical fibre
installed by Axians
Axians, the VINCI Energies communication technologies," says
and then roll out
information and Hicham Mghazli with pride.
communication technologies Internet and digital
brand, is helping to install Launched at the end of 2016,
television services.
the optical fibre backbone the Axians project covers two
that will enable Côte d'Ivoire zones: the area between Abidjan,
to accelerate the roll-out Oumé and San Pedro in the east;
of Information and and farther west the area near
Communication Guiglo and the border with Liberia. Broadband to the home
Technologies (ICT) Telecommunications operators will
throughout the country install mobile telephone access Once the technical issues have
points and then roll out Internet been covered with the fibre roll-out,
The goal is to lay 1,920 kilometres and digital television along the issue of mobile user solvency
of optical fibre throughout. the fibre, "which is installed in loops remains. Observers agree that
Côte d'Ivoire within two years. to secure connection continuity," telecommunications operators
"A huge project," says Hicham says the Axians manager. and banks will have to invent new
Mghazli, the Axians Telecom West Paradoxically, Africa's delayed economic models to take account
Africa project manager on the spot. installation of infrastructure of wide disparities in the standard
"We had to hire and train nearly handicapped the development of living.
70 people to supervise the of fixed-line Internet service and The construction of pylons and
implementation of this project. fostered the popular mobile service antennas for mobile service
We also used local subcontractors. that now puts the continent in a will form the first phase of fibre
Altogether, about 500 people are good position to leapfrog a stage operation, says Hicham Mghazli.
working on the project." of development and go directly to "Following that, urban loops
Axians is building the bulk of the high-value-added mobile services. will be installed, from which
symbolically-named cross-country telecommunications operators will
"information superhighway" that be able to offer FTTH, in other words
this 7,000 km backbone (the nerve Connected citizens broadband Internet service to
centre of a high-speed broadband the home," says the Axians manager
network) represents. "It will connect The Ivorian government has - a high-quality connection that
remote villages with the rest of planned to connect all prefectures many European Internet users can
the country via information and and sub-prefectures so as to set still only dream of.
10 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 11
OPTICAL FIBRE GETS More on
theagilityeffect.com
A NEW LEASE ON LIFE
With the support of Axians,
deeptech company CAILabs is
developing a new technology
that increases the data rate of
multi-mode optical fibre
by a factor of 400.
Constantly increasing network
data rates are rendering
the transmission capacity of aging
optical fibre obsolete - particularly
the multi-mode systems used to
communicate over short distances,
for example on campuses.
Three French optics researchers
at the Kastler Brossel laboratory in
Paris, Nicolas Treps, Jean-François
Morizur and Guillaume Labroille, "A very beneficial made it an integral part
have found a solution. They have
developed a technology that
solution, especially of its solutions and services offer.
"We roll out fibre for our customers
reshapes the light beam to increase for universities, with budgets that cannot be expanded,
multi-mode fibre capacity by a
factor of 400.
hospitals, urban and Aroona is proving to be a very
beneficial solution, especially for
transport systems, universities, hospitals, urban transport
"We give a network a new lease on
life for - at most - only half what it
and office systems, office buildings, and industrial
facilities where re-cabling work
would cost to re-cable, and we do buildings." requiring production to shut down
so without disrupting the customer's would be problematic," says Juan
activity by installing a passive Lopez, Technical Director at Axians
module directly at the fibre arrival Communication & Systems France.
point," says CAILabs CEO VINCI Energies ICT brand Axians Aroona is a solution derived from
Jean-François Morizur who, identified the new CAILabs range of Proteus, which has existed since
together with Guillaume Labroille, products, called Aroona, during the company was founded (whereas
founded the start-up in 2013. the 2016 VivaTech show and has now Aroona only began in 2015).
12 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 13
AGILITY LEADER
WILLIAM ELDIN,
TECHNOLOGY
SERVING
EMOTION
This serial entrepreneur has been developing the XXII
company, which specialises in artificial intelligence,
for the past three years. The company's vision focuses
the technology squarely on the human being.
Make no mistake about it, this A fan of Daft Punk, William Eldin
30-something founder of a start-up and his partner and childhood friend
focused on artificial intelligence Damien Mulhem gave the company
is not a true believer in a rosy the name of an electronic music
technological future. He would group that he founded at the age
be more likely to claim anti-geek of 14. He is a serial entrepreneur.
status. William Eldin, co-director After setting up a network of stores
of the XXII company, advocates his to sell highway radar detectors in
own vision of a return to basics. 2005, he joined forces with Fabrice
"Our company's vision," he says, Pierlot, the founder of Coyote System,
"is to augment the human being a specialist in radar warning and
and his perceptions in order to driver assistance systems. After
develop a form of emotional eight years, he sold his shares
quotient that we seem to have lost and in 2015 invested €1 million in
to some extent. Technology is there XXII and the artificial intelligence
to handle all the routine issues adventure, encompassing artificial
of life in society so that we can pay intelligence, gaming, nano-sciences
more attention to ourselves." and marketing.
14 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 15
At the intersection of science
and engineering
AGILITY FOCUS
Rather than AI, William Eldin prefers
to talk about "deep technology",
a concept "at the intersection
between science and engineering,"
which is aimed at "helping
companies apply very sophisticated
algorithms to their own specific
needs."
NEW JOBS
But priority is given to the human
being. "People don't come to us
to work on an algorithm for a single
use," he says. "They come to look at
AT THE HEART
a wide variety of issues. This means
putting on our boots and going
to look at a worksite to see what
the actual concrete issues are.
OF THE
Someone with a PhD in artificial
intelligence who spends his time in
front of a computer never does that.
Our work straddles science and
TRANSFORMATION
execution."
the way in which the human being they interact, as case studies."
"Our company's uses the technology."
"This approach brings us together
The entrepreneur adds, by way
of illustration, "For example, in an
vision is to augment around our 'Human Beyond Digital' airport, a passenger arrives with
the human being credo," says Julien Guillaume, who
adds that William Eldin also brings
a piece of luggage and both are
given the same identifier. Half the jobs that will exist ten years from now do not yet exist today.
and his perceptions "a passion for communication and If the intelligence behind the CCTV This universally acknowledged fact brings the transformation now taking place
in order to develop a talent for education."
The young entrepreneur, who now
camera sees the passenger move
away from his luggage, beyond
into sharp focus. The radical change now under way, to a greater or lesser degree,
a form of emotional heads a team of 60 employees in a certain distance and a certain
in organisations, processes and whole sectors of activity is well documented.
Its somewhat less well-known impact on skills, jobs and profiles deserves the full attention
quotient that we Suresnes, France along with six
people in Shenzhen, China and
amount of time this information
is reported to the control centre so of businesses, because the digitalisation cannot achieve its full potential without the
seem to have lost." two in a recently-opened office that action can be taken as needed. men and women who are and will be implementing it.
in Seattle, Washington, works with At Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, there are Augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, increasingly complex algorithms,
large companies such as 12,000 cameras and it is impossible big data management and storage technologies are just some of the skills that are already
BNP Paribas, Bouygues Telecom, to watch them all at the same time." in high demand and will be increasingly important as time goes on. In the new job
This approach is what prompted Clear Channel, Dassault, Google, What is William Eldin's secret?
VINCI Energies to present XXII to Groupe M6, GRDF, Havas, L’Oréal, Managing agility and... risk. "Agility
environment now taking shape, energy, buildings, cities, industry and of course
its network (business units and Netflix, Novartis, Samsung, Sanofi, is first and foremost a culture, the new communication technologies will be in the forefront of the transformation.
customers) at the most recent Viva SNCF, Shiseido, and TF1. the culture of speed. At XXII, we
Tech event, held from 24 to 26 May. regularly organise 'serious games' A paradigm shift for companies, p.18…
"Industry, building construction, on rapid response. But we always “Top-down management is a thing of the past”, p.20…
energy and artificial intelligence "The point of view of accommodate risk, because in our New profiles for the city of the future, p.22…
touch on the full range of our the human being" company people have the right to Electricity suppliers energised by big data, p.24…
activities," says Julien Guillaume, make mistakes. We do individual
Open Innovation and Collective "We developed this artificial interviews every six months and
The BIM focus of the building, p.26… IT, a pool of new skills, p.28…
Intelligence manager at intelligence capability starting from if a person hasn't failed at least AI at the heart of the factory of the future, p.30…
VINCI Energies. "The advantage of the point of view of the human twice or three times, he or she has Recruiting the next generation of engineers is a major challenge, p.32...
William Eldin and his team is that being," says William Eldin. "Our not taken enough risks." Managing
their highly pragmatic approach learning method is simple: we start slip-ups is a must for the former
never leaves out the human aspect, by looking at people and objects as Coyote manager.
16 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 17
AGILITY FOCUS jobs will require a major effort
to train employees and an active
the future of construction, an action
plan to solve the industry’s talents
in-house advanced technology skills
and 68% are worried about being
recruitment policy. For example, gap“ report, encourage companies able to attract qualified employees.
the WEF experts estimate that all to undertake image campaigns
French employees should be given to stress these positive aspects.
an additional 101 days of training “In the infrastructure, building, New methods
between now and 2022. and engineering sectors, your work
A PARADIGM SHIFT
is practical: the building or bridge “The so-called conventional
you helped to put up is tangible,” production and maintenance jobs
“Upskilling” says Romain de Laubier, Partner will not disappear. But AI, big data,
FOR COMPANIES
and Managing Director at the and robotics will profoundly modify
Investment in upskilling is crucial, Boston Consulting Group (BCG). them. Decision-makers are going
at a time when industry and “This is an advantage in an to have to take these new working
engineering in the broad sense increasingly virtual world.” methods on board,” says Vincent
of the term are finding it difficult to The introduction of new industrial Saule, partner and change support
attract talent. However, companies process technologies is a further expert at Mazars.
in the building, energy, and way to attract talent, provided Pay is important, but it is not
infrastructure operation sectors the change is well managed in a the only decision criterion.
have a competitive advantage in sector in which working methods “What attracts talent is the quality
Digital technologies are
reshaping employment. “What attracts
New jobs with a strong
technology focus, which call talent is the quality
for new skills, are emerging. of the project.
Companies are now coming
to grips with the dual Young people want
challenge of training their their work to be
employees and hiring new
profiles. socially useful.”
Data scientists, robotics experts,
application developers, human-
machine interface designers,
load management specialists, of the project,” says Vincent Saule.
and artificial intelligence and “Young people want their work to
cyber-security experts are just some be socially useful.
of the talent required today If the company can succeed in
and in the future. People with involving employees in a positive
these profiles are in high demand in project, they will stay. Companies in
the labour market, and companies – the construction sector are the new
especially those that, like cathedral builders, and they must
VINCI Energies, work in call attention to that fact.”
the infrastructure, building, Mazars Partner Juliette Decoux
industrial solutions, engineering, adds that “Groups must also
and maintenance sectors – must 16% of the total worldwide, but several years, rising from 16% the recruitment battle: at a time have changed very little over develop CSR (corporate social
attract and retain them in order to the percentage is expected to rise to 32% of jobs in the sector by 2022. when the younger generation is the past few decades. responsibility) projects, for example
remain competitive. to 19% by 2022. Conversely, Meanwhile, the proportion of anxious to serve the public interest, The “Les dirigeants face à l’industrie in the energy transition sector, with
The “Future of Jobs 2018“ report by the proportion of labourers, mechanics and workers as well as these companies build structures 4.0“ (top management and industry which young people can identify.”
the World Economic Forum (WEF) engineers and mechanics is inventory managers employed by and facilities that are not only 4.0) study, carried out by Mazars In the drive to invest work with
addresses these issues in detail. expected to fall from 38 to 30%. power plants, refineries, designed to last, but are increasingly consulting firm together with meaning, train employees in
It identifies a score of these In the energy and utilities sectors, and factories is expected to decline environmentally-friendly thanks the Opinion Way Institute, shows the new technologies, and recruit
emerging jobs, all of which have the percentage of digital from 34% to 24%. to new standards. The Boston that training and skills development the right profiles for the present
a strong technological focus. transformation experts such as data For companies, these statistics Consulting Group experts, who is the second greatest concern and the future – to redefine skills
In the infrastructure sector, scientists and big data specialists reflect a paradigm shift. notably took part in the World of top managers, just after cyber- and transform jobs - the focus is
these jobs currently account for only is expected to double over the next The re-definition of skills and Economic Forum’s “Shaping security: 70% fear a shortage of more than ever on the human being.
18 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 19AGILITY FOCUS in VINCI Energies’ technology-
focused segment are under
Top-down management is a
thing of the past and today’s
and “too generous” to submit a
job application. But here again,
pressure in most of our markets. talent wants a more participatory, we have an “all at the same
collaborative approach. time” expectation. In a group like
Our business model based VINCI Energies, which includes
For today’s young graduates, on networked human-scale a wide range of technologies
pay is no longer the only business units lends itself to in all its solutions and services
“TOP-DOWN
criterion... the development of a 21st century and operates against a backdrop
style of leadership. Working on of accelerating transformation,
P.L. True. Workplace atmosphere it helps us recruit talent, but, to we also need people who are
MANAGEMENT IS
and quality of life, work content repeat, it also helps us keep our well versed in state-of-the-art
and interest, values, management, promise of offering meaningful, technologies.
personal development and work- motivating and fulfilling long-term
life balance are also important. careers.
A THING OF THE PAST”
Three decades ago, people aimed With technologies, skills,
for a career. Now they look for a business activities and
workplace experience that offers What about women markets changing constantly
at VINCI Energies? and at an ever-faster pace,
how does a business unit rise
P.L. We still have far too few to the challenge?
(13%, across all activities, functions
P.L. The keyword is “agility”
a whole: industry, “the industry of
the future” or “Industry 4.0”, which
Three decades and levels)! One of our major
goals is to hire more women for and it reflects VINCI Energies’
is increasingly digital, energy and ago, people aimed our teams, if only because women organisational structure.
transport infrastructure, with smart
grids, buildings, public facilities,
for a career. constitute half of humankind
and thus form a talent pool we
Our group employs 75,000 people
and generates revenue exceeding
cities, etc. Now they look would be foolish to neglect. In €10 million by a wide margin,
But there is a caveat: technology,
algorithms, digital activities and so
for a workplace addition, many of our customers
and partners are making progress
but our trademark and one
of our success drivers is our
on only make sense if they serve experience that in hiring women, and we must special structure, which we have
people. This vision was reflected
in our participation at the most
offers fulfilment follow suit to keep pace with them.
Lastly, it is now crystal clear that
managed to retain: a flotilla of
small boats, rather than a huge
recent Viva Technology, held in and meaning. better gender balance has a very aircraft carrier; autonomous
Paris in May 2018, where we beneficial effect on companies’ business units on a human scale
focused on the theme “Human creativity, growth and performance, that are flexible, responsive and
beyond Digital”. on the quality of life of their teams, agile, and that operate close to our
on their ability to weather crises customers. The key lies in being
fulfilment and meaning. and on their corporate social agile, accelerating our innovation
How would you describe All these aspects have become responsibility. processes, integrating new work
the job market in the main very important, and not just for and management methods and
countries where VINCI Energies young people. But pay is still a In your recruitment policy, fostering relationships with our
operates? factor. It is an “all at the same how important are soft suppliers, who are also substantially
time” expectation, if I could coin skills compared to technical innovating. But there is another very
Patrick Lebrun, Deputy Managing Director of VINCI Energies, P.L. All of our job markets are a phrase. qualifications? important factor: skills development
analyses the changes taking place in expertise and business under pressure. For one thing, and ongoing training. We are
activities as well as the new aspirations of young talent and the economy is improving virtually P.L. Soft skills are crucial, especially providing more training than ever,
the ways in which companies must adapt. everywhere, which is good news. What practical changes has in service activities, where people but we will no doubt have to further
For another, our markets are VINCI Energies made in work in teams and in project step up our efforts, with the support
Could you tell us about the The activities that are emerging promising in the long term in both this respect? mode. Attentiveness, generosity of the new forms of learning that
new business activities, new and taking root are in fields such transformation and acceleration. and solidarity help build collective are now emerging. We must make
expertise and new profiles as augmented reality, virtual It is true that some countries P.L. We are doing a lot of work intelligence. Today, you can’t all our business units into learning
that are now taking hold reality, energy storage, and some skills are under more on our tools and our premises, succeed with hyper-individualistic organisations, in which every
and emerging? increasingly complex algorithms, pressure than others. There is on employee skills development whiz kids. In fact VINCI based its employee is constantly learning and
artificial intelligence, big data over-employment in Switzerland, and on the management of our most recent recruitment drive acquiring new skills, including in
Patrick Lebrun. Half of all the utilisation, image processing the Netherlands and Germany. business units, for which on soft skills, encouraging those his or her day-to-day work. This is
business activities that will exist in and very precise geo-location. In France, unemployment remains the cornerstone is what we call our who are “too ambitious”, “too prerequisite for our success going
10 years’ time do not yet exist. They cut across VINCI Energies as high, but the skilled jobs required “shared budget/strategic plan”. bold”, “too creative”, “too curious” forward.
20 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 21AGILITY FOCUS specialists in such fields as urban
planning to help them better
collected. But Thierry Czech warns
that “We must be careful not to
that you can tell whether they are
genuinely efficient,” says Thierry
understand the issues faced by the over-engineer security and to design Czech. The most recent emerging job
customer. “We operate increasingly protection systems that match that can help the suppliers of smart
as a partner of the city and not just a the value of the data. city solutions is the social media
supplier,” says Thierry Czech. Three The task of determining the end- specialist who can oversee the new
Omexom entities already have urban to-end security level must be jointly communication tools.
NEW PROFILES
planning type capabilities. performed by the customer, the “In calls for tender, we are increasingly
The smart city requires big data, and project manager, and the encryption seeing a requirement for participatory
the first requirement is to aggregate specialist.” Previously, no IT applications, which must be
FOR THE CITY OF
data to improve the operation of precautions were needed to manage managed” says the Omexom
services. Data collection requires a public lighting system. Today, technical and innovation manager.
installation of electronic sensors, the messages displayed on
for example to monitor urban traffic. connected message boards can
THE FUTURE
This change has generated a need for be intercepted and altered, as Singapore, a smart city
people such as data scientists, who happened recently in Paris during laboratory
have skills that did not yet exist just a the 2017 French presidential
few years ago. These various experts election. The city-state of Singapore
are able to organise data collection To attract such specialists, providers (population 5.8 million) presents
and transmission, and manage data are developing a variety of measures itself as a smart city laboratory.
storage and processing. The work and taking initiatives ranging from The multi-ethnic (75% Chinese,
continues with statistical analysis start-up incubators to calls for 14% Malay, 9% Indian)
and then, by accretion, evolves projects via hackathons. These city has invested heavily in data
towards predictive vision; these tasks measures also appeal to AI specialists, collection and processing
An increasing number The new challenge facing urban areas needed for city digitalisation. use artificial intelligence algorithms. who can operate the algorithms to improve such things as traffic
of smart city projects are is to connect the city with users of “If the mayor is a visionary, he grasps that process the masses of data flow, safety, and location
prompting collection of infrastructure, transport systems, that this change is more a source collected from the public space, and of day-care centres.
massive amounts of data buildings, and energy in order to make of progress than a loss of control Properly defining needs who are also very much in demand. The government’s Smart Nation
that must be checked, the city more efficient. But the smart over city administration,” says Thierry “The world has become virtual. This programme was launched
processed, and secured city is often held back by the Czech, technical and innovation Another skill sought by suppliers of fosters innovation but also generates in 2014 and the city hosts
in a complex process calling separation of municipal services, manager at Omexom (VINCI Energies). smart city solutions is cyber-security substantial complexity. It is only when the annual World Cities Summit.
for special skills. which impedes the collaboration For this reason, providers seek to ensure the integrity of the data you implement these programmes
22 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 23AGILITY FOCUS looks to start-ups to acquire these
capabilities. “For example, we are
increasingly connected.
The teams have the expertise to
concrete results and work up a
package solution for a customer.
working with Sterblue to carry recover and use some of this data Their job with us is not like the job
out electricity pylon inspections but they do not yet have the skills of a pure data or IT player, who is
using drones. The photos are to interpret it more broadly and not always able to understand our
then decoded using an algorithm to make wider use of it. industrial customers.”
trained by our experts,” says This means that we must attract
ELECTRICITY
Benoît Kieffer. data scientists and data analysts
- two profiles that are in high
The next step is to develop an demand.
“At VINCI Energies,
SUPPLIERS ENERGISED
automated drone flight and
photography programming However, the VINCI Energies the data scientist
solution. When combined with
the machine learning algorithm,
brand has advantages enabling
it to attract these data wizards.
is not going to be
BY BIG DATA
this gains time by preparing “At VINCI Energies, the data sitting there coding
the work of the expert.
The Omexom brand business
scientist is not going to be
sitting there coding 24 hours a
24 hours a day.
units have to analyse and day, disconnected from reality,” His or her work
process an increasing volume
of data generated by equipment
says Benoît Kieffer. “His or her
data work will be combined with
will achieve
that is increasingly digital and expertise in our sector to achieve concrete results.”
The digitalisation of and electricity sector jobs must
electrical infrastructure adjust to the new circumstances.
calls for new skills. Big data “The first phase of the digital
expertise is at the heart transition, which may seem basic,
of this transformation. is to digitise all paper documents
used on worksites. This does not
According to the International revolutionise the job of the field
Energy Agency’s Digitalization and technicians, but it does directly
Energy 2017 report, digital tools affect the way they work.
will enable electricity suppliers We therefore need people who
to improve their productivity are able to understand the
and reduce their costs. Digital specifics and limitations of our
technologies can make electricity activities and to engage in dialogue
grids smarter and reduce operating with the developers of these digital
and maintenance costs as well solutions to ensure that they are
as capital investment. adapted to our needs and therefore
In predictive maintenance, adopted,” says Omexom digital
connected sensors can be used innovation project manager
to repair equipment before a fault Benoît Kieffer.
occurs. The data generated by What is needed is people who
the sensors can also be used to understand the business activity
adapt the use of the equipment as well as IT architectures and
to its capacity and to grid database management. Example:
requirements. In infrastructure digital innovation manager.
management, new technologies
such as drones can facilitate
maintenance of pylons – though Attracting the big data
of course, expertise in piloting wizards
the small flying machines as well
as processing and exploiting Alongside the traditional jobs that
the images they capture is digital technologies are improving,
required! new skills are emerging in such
In all these cases, big data is at fields as big data, blockchain,
the heart of the transformation, and machine learning. Omexom
24 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 25AGILITY FOCUS maintenance in a call for tender,”
says Philippe Conus by way of
be processed and also protected,
since digital technologies always
innovative employer image,
has just sponsored a class at the École
illustration. entail a risk of cyberattack. Supérieure des Travaux Publics-Paris
A year ago, VINCI Facilities set up (ESTP) engineering school.
a Facility Management Institute in
Ad hoc training partnership with the VINCI Energies
Academy to train its technicians The green specialist,
THE BIM FOCUS
The next step after building and engineers. The first sessions a sought-after profile
information modelling is smart started in June 2018, and others
building construction. BAS (building are expected to follow soon. In the building sector as in other
OF THE BUILDING
automation systems) and related “We already have six facility industrial activities, one profile
systems that are used to run management and building energy is in growing demand with
installations and infrastructure efficiency training programmes. the increasing attention being
must also now include digital In coming months, we will be paid to sustainable development
technologies in their processes. adding BIM, business IT, etc.” and environmental footprint:
“BAS is looking more and more says Philippe Conus. the green specialist. A consulting
like IT,” says David Ernest. “We Pending the effects of these training firm such as Greenfish,
are getting to the point where IP programs, there is a need to recruit based in Brussels with offices
(Internet Protocol) networks will be trained people to handle these in Amsterdam and Paris, can
installed in buildings.” This involves new jobs. This type of talent is in train them and place them with
digital networks and digital devices very high demand. VINCI Energies, industrial and service companies.
that produce data, which must then which leverages its attractive and
The building industry, long management, for example, brings
considered conservative, the quality of service provided by
is today integrating an the hotel industry and high-end
increasing number of co-working sites to companies.
technological innovations. In 2017, to support this trend,
The construction and VINCI Energies acquired Opal Group,
maintenance sector is a company that makes hospitality
therefore recruiting and managers available to our
training people to provide customers and their end users,”
the new skills required. says Philippe Conus, Director
of the VINCI Facilities brand.
BIM (Building Information
Modelling) manager, low energy Digital technologies have also
building technician, EPC (energy generated increasingly complex
performance contract) manager, systems for managing buildings.
home automation specialist, BIM, for example, has given rise
space planner: from construction to new functions such as
to maintenance, new jobs are customer support in designing
proliferating in the building the operating BIM system.
sector as it rapidly introduces “In design, BIM managers rely
digital technologies. Meanwhile, heavily on 3D applications.
more traditional jobs - such as In operations, there is now
bricklayer, heating specialist, and a very substantial focus on
electrician - are adapting to the databases, which is new,” says
new technologies (networks, IoT) David Ernest, Innovation Director
that are now used in heating, at VINCI Facilities.
climate control and lighting Three new areas of BIM expertise
systems. have been identified: BIM design
and expansion; BIM administration
This two-track change affects (access rights, data integrity);
both service and technical and BIM maintenance (updating
maintenance (or facility of features). “Saint-Gobain
management) jobs. “Hospitality recently introduced BIM
26 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 27AGILITY FOCUS almost call it infrastructure ‘as a
code’,” says Olivier Genelot, Director
Transformation requires
changes in jobs and skills
this transformation. “We used AI
to automate the error identification
of the Axians brand (VINCI Energies). and classification process in
Moreover, thanks to software- New jobs are emerging, for example the IT system of a major bank,
defined technology, the network that of the “enterprise architect”, who which enables us to take
can identify applications, which defines the company’s IT architecture a proactive approach to managing
makes it possible to better manage to support automation of the various the infrastructure.”
IT, A POOL
them – for example, by optimising processes.
quality of service or boosting security. The integration teams must master
By designing applications with the automation and virtualisation
“IT is currently
OF NEW SKILLS
micro-services and using “container” tools, know how to interface
technologies, applications can also
be enabled to manage the resources
the various pieces of equipment
using APIs (Application Programming
being automated
they use. A retail site can, for Interfaces) supplied by manufacturers, and this means
example, trigger the use of additional
resources in the public cloud to cope
and be able to design scripts that
can operate comprehensive solutions.
programming,
with peak activity in the run-up to Artificial intelligence, which optimises configuration,
the holiday season. Plus, it can do so
automatically and in real time.
or automates a large number of
operations, is also accelerating
and writing scripts.
You could call it
Information and infrastructure
communication technologies ‘as a code’.”
are at the heart of the digital
transformation. It is here that
the new skills that will supply
the other industrial and
economic sectors are being “But this is more an adjustment
developed. of job descriptions than the creation
of new jobs,” says Olivier Genelot.
Of course, hardware still exists, “Most of our team members have
but IT resources and infrastructure a sufficient skillset to support our
are distributed in the various customers.” Extensive training
clouds or on-site, or even on edge, must nevertheless be conducted
when real-time processing or data to keep pace with rapidly changing
confidentiality requires local data technologies. International reach
processing. The revolution under way is also beneficial. “We assiduously
is the digital transformation of ICT, cultivate the international dimension,
driven by the spread of “software particularly in specialist areas, and
defined” technologies. Software and this boosts our attractiveness,” says
scripts now manage the fullrange Olivier Genelot, who looks for people
of resources and infrastructure who are adaptable.
(data centre, company network, “We have also created cross-cutting
telecommunication networks). communities that discuss the new
This holds out huge possibilities: technologies and share information
first, the rollout and management in order to accelerate a number
of distributed infrastructure and of developments.” Skills transformation
the networks that connect it are now is not limited to technology.
being automated, making it possible “Customers expect to receive advice
to adapt in real time to keep pace with to help them clarify their choices,”
rapidly changing business. “Today, says Olivier Genelot, “because
we need to be able to integrate the range of technological options
dynamic solutions and architectures available - cloud, data centre,
controlled by this software. IT is virtualisation, applications, etc. – is so
currently being automated and we broad. We are therefore also sharply
need teams to programme, configure, expanding our consulting expertise
and write the scripts. You could and services.”
28 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 29AGILITY FOCUS and must continuously acquire
new skills and even new reflexes.
“But AI does not necessarily
replace the operator. Quite often,
Designer-integrators also need to it provides the operator with valuable
acquire new qualifications in cobot support,” says Olivier Genelot, “Factories
training, vision systems, predictive
maintenance statistics, cyber-
Director of the Axians brand
(VINCI Energies). “For example,
have not yet
testing, and further specialist skills we set up an AI solution at experienced
AI AT THE HEART
that cannot yet be predicted. an industrial site that increases
production volume by
the digital
10% by eliminating bottlenecks. revolution that is
OF THE FACTORY OF
Requalification Data is collected from all machines
and the AI system provides
now taking place
“Factory automation entails each operator with real-time all around us.”
job requalification,” says information. They are thus able
THE FUTURE
Valeo Compensation, Benefits to manage their production cells
and Training Director, Patrick in such a way as to optimise the
Benammar. The good news is that operation of the factory as a whole. and will not require requalification.
the disruption is reducing the It is therefore up to integrators
number of tedious and arduous If the interface is well designed, to design appropriate AI solutions
jobs and replacing them with the AI solution is a fairly natural based on the user’s needs and
PLCs and skilled jobs. extension of the operator’s work working environment. This means
that integrators need to have
much broader knowledge than
Big data and artificial paying them high salaries in order algorithms.
intelligence skills are in to overcome the talent shortage is
high demand to operate challenging. However, the algorithms that are
increasingly high-tech used do require special expertise.
Industry 4.0 production However, industrial companies To attract artificial intelligence
facilities. may have some time to prepare. experts, VINCI Energies offers
Bruno Nicolas, Director of the them challenging assignments and
Will AI save industry? The Boston Actemium brand (VINCI Energies), an international work environment.
Consulting Group’s international AI believes that despite headlines “We provide the geek atmosphere
in the Factory of the Future study about its exponential growth, they love,” says Olivier Genelot,
found that 29% of respondents see artificial intelligence is in fact only who says that admittedly there
artificial intelligence, which can gradually being introduced at is also compensation pressure in
potentially reduce production costs industrial sites. “Given the cost of these sought-after jobs.
by 20%, as the leading productivity these investments and the need
driver. As a result, 87% of factory to safeguard the quality of the
managers said they planned to finished product, digitalisation
install AI solutions in their factories 4.0 remains narrowly targeted at
within the next three years. specific types of equipment where In Germany, Industry 4.0
This revolution raises the crucial the potential gains are highest. learning factories
issue of who is to manage these For example, wireless sensors,
machines running on algorithms. a data processing system, and a Training in the new jobs
Employees must be trained to touch screen can be added to an generated by factory
control and process the big data existing automated line to give digitalisation is a major focus
that fuels AI. The problem is that the operator-technician additional of attention in Germany, where
it takes employees a long time to decision-making support. Factories the Industry 4.0 concept was
acquire these skills, while artificial have already been through invented in 2013. A score of
intelligence is progressing at the automation revolution but have learning factories are training
breakneck speed. The alternative not yet experienced the digital operators in conditions very
is to recruit data scientists. But revolution that is now taking place close to reality. The radical
such experts are in high demand all around us.” change is supported by the
across all economic sectors, and trade unions. IG Metall, for
attracting them into an industrial As a result of this change in example, has introduced training
sector that can hardly be said to the human-machine interface, programs for shop stewards.
have an up-to-date image and operators now serve as technicians
30 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 31AGILITY FOCUS
BOLD
RECRUITING THE NEXT GENERATION TIMES
OF ENGINEERS IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE
ARE
DRIVEN
I joined VINCI Energies in 1991, for the best and brightest new their careers. All of these have
moving to the UK business in 2010, engineers – and developing them – already made a huge contribution
and in that time one thing has been very seriously. to our business, and in return,
BY
constant – the challenge we and our Our values are essential to our we make a huge contribution
customers face in finding people offer to people starting their careers to their development.
interested in the engineering sector in engineering. We trust and We also recognise there is more
and with the right engineering skills. empower our employees from day to be done in ensuring the pipeline
BOLD
In their latest report on the state one, and expect people to take on of future engineers remains open.
of engineering, Engineering UK responsibility for projects from To this end, we work with the WMG
estimate that 124,000 people are the start. Academy in Coventry and Solihull,
PEOPLE
needed to meet demand for core Innovation and entrepreneurship and are commissioning work
engineering roles every year – but also lie at the heart of our business, which offers year 11 pupils
that the UK is falling up to 59,000
short.
and employees quickly gain
the opportunity to work with
the chance to work on a ‘design and
make’ project that contributes 50% SAMANTHA
There are many reasons for this
shortfall, but one of the major
the latest technologies and
techniques in tackling business
towards a GCSE Award in Systems
& Control. DAVIES
causes is that engineering finds challenges. This approach to attracting and SKIPPER OF THE INITIATIVES-
it hard to appeal to young people This helps our employees build up retaining engineering talent has CŒUR SAILBOAT.
thinking about their future. their professional experience. worked for us, and as VINCI ENERGIES,
To give credit where it’s due, the businesses we work with adopt PERFORMANCE PARTNER.
institutions and organisations like their own approaches to address
Engineering UK and the Royal Recruiting and retaining this challenge, we can see a bright
Academy of Engineering recognised future for engineering.
the problem several years ago, and This approach means we are better
their action is starting to pay off. able to help keep people in our
However, there is still much more business at VINCI Energies and in
to do, especially to attract women engineering in general. Digital transformation and energy transition accelerator, VINCI Energies boost the reliability, safety and efficiency of energy,
into engineering degrees To attract people into the business, transport and communication infrastructure, factories and buildings.
and careers. The challenge, across we have brought in a new Modern
the board, is to turn this surge Apprenticeship Scheme, a Graduate GIVING MEANING TO OUR COMMITMENT AND LIVING OUR VALUES EVERY DAY!
of interest into interesting and Advancement Programme and
VINCI-ENERGIES.COM
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rewarding careers in engineering. dozens of internships opportunities
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Only use blue and/or white.
For more details check out our
Brand Guidelines.
Successfully tackling this challenge in all our Business Units, resulting in
is central to VINCI Energies as a sharp increase in the number Rochdi Ziyat VINCI Energies supports
a business, and we take the search of people joining us as they begin CEO, VINCI Energies UK & ROI
32 THE AGILITY EFFECT MAGAZINE NUMBER 5 - WINTER 2018 33distributors such as Amazon are
seeking to control all aspects of
THE AUTONOMOUS
delivery. PwC says that "The truck
will soon be integrated in the real-
time logistics information system
that connects the entire goods
TRUCK AT THE
transport value chain, from
the supplier to warehouses,
distributors and the final customer."
CROSSROADS OF
THE TRANSFORMATION
"The truck will
soon be integrated
in the real-time
logistics
information system
that connects
the entire goods
transport value
chain."
Cost reductions
The technology disruption
is expected to result in a 5%
reduction in the cost of logistics
and maintenance for transport
companies by 2020 and a 10%
reduction by 2030. The savings will
be primarily due to the two-thirds
reduction in the cost of the truck
driver. However, "The human being
will remain at the heart of the the conquest of autonomy energy. The arrival of the Tesla
value chain, but will be reassigned possible. Connections with fixed truck will dispel the idea that
to different tasks," says the lead facilities such as toll stations the internal combustion engine
A decade from now, the autonomous truck will be a reality disrupting the wholesale, author of the PwC study. The "last and parking areas, as well as is needed for long-distance
retail and logistics sector. The electric, connected truck will both protect the environment kilometre" issue remains, as does with companies, can lead to travel. "Autonomy fosters electric
and deliver technological performance. the issue of customer contact at improved itineraries as well as to solutions for haulage," says
delivery. It is expected that new optimisation of the logistics chain, Laura Brimont, a researcher at
On the road to the self-driving the driverless car in the city, but the arrival of the driverless truck jobs will be created. with virtually real-time adaptation the Institut du développement
vehicle, the electric car may be that the ignition has already been in most industrialised countries by of supply and demand. Trucks will durable et des relations
overtaken by the truck. A study by turned on for the connected truck. 2030 will have an impact on the be connected with each other to internationales.
PwC, "The era of digitized trucking: In addition, it has an electric motor: road haulage market and beyond "Platooning" exchange traffic and travel time The autonomous truck will be
transforming the logistics value Tesla announced at the end of 2017 that on the retail and e-commerce information in real time. This will safer and more environmentally
chain" reinforces the idea that it that it will be introducing a battery- industries. In France, for example, The combination of connectivity enable them to form convoys friendly. The digital transformation
will take time to resolve the safety powered truck with a driving range road haulage accounts for 87% and processing of data tracked by in a "platooning" system that will meets the energy transition – on
issues raised by the use of of 800 km. According to PwC, of goods transport. Meanwhile, sensors of all types is making better control travel and save the road.
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