Harmony, forming and planing technician in Cherbourg

What is your job? What programs do you work on?

I form and assemble metal structures and framework components ranging from small parts (such as collars for air cylinders, for example) to very large ones such as those for the bridge fin of a submarine, including ballast and other tanks. I receive the technical details from the engineering office: the manufacturing range and the process to be followed for the forming and the parts to be assembled. Different techniques are used depending on the component to be produced, requiring different numerically controlled machine tools. Rolling, for example, using a rolling machine, makes it possible to obtain cylindrical or conical shapes using the wooden templates produced by the plotters. Folding by hydraulic press makes it possible to bend, press or straighten the sheet when it has been subject to torsion, or to rectify a sheet that is too closed. After the forming, we carry out tracing to indicate where to position the parts to be assembled, then the assembly by tack welding. The part is then sent for welding, after which it returns to us to be rectified after inspection. The activities are therefore very varied! For the past few months, I have been working on hull forming: strakes for the new-generation aircraft carrier (PA-NG) and flanges – large parts 9 metres long – for third-generation nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).

What training do you need for this job? Could you describe your professional background?

There are several avenues for learning this trade, such as the professional baccalaureate in industrial metalwork for high school students or, as in my case, a retraining course leading to a qualification: I actually used to work in a shop! When I became a mother I felt the need for a more concrete profession and decided to change sectors. I discovered metalwork thanks to my father-in-law, and as I had always liked working with my hands, I threw myself into it. I took a course with the adult vocational training association (AFPA) during which I did two internships in industry, including one at Naval Group, which was a real eye-opener! 
At the end of my course, I obtained a professional qualification in metalwork. I joined Naval Group just after qualifying, first as a temporary worker in 2019 and then on a permanent contract in 2020. As a new hire, the most experienced employees support you and pass on their know-how. This on-the-job training is essential in order to acquire full mastery of the trade after eight years of training.

What skills are needed to perform your job? What do you particularly enjoy and what are the difficulties?

The ability to depict volumes in space and understand plans are important. As well as precision and rigour, of course. You also need to pay careful attention to each gesture to avoid injury when moving or handling parts on the machine. What I like is the diversity of my daily tasks, the constant learning, the teamwork, as well as the sense of pride in contributing to such large-scale naval programs. Some tasks can be physical and noisy, such as sheet rectification using a pneumatic hammer or hot forming followed by hammering: this traditional know-how exists alongside the latest generation machines. We also sometimes need to work in cramped spaces, like inside a tank, for example.