Aurore Cuvelier is a plant operator in Notching, in the electrode manufacturing sector. She joined the ACC Gigafactory in Billy-Berclau as part of a career change that led her to train as a plant operator. Yesterday an intern, Aurore is now making steady progress.

What was your career path before joining ACC?

I started my career outside the industry as a self-employed person. After Covid and a family event, I sold my business and worked as a temp. Then I heard about ACC and applied. I was directed towards the TPCIMA training programme (professional qualification for automated plant and machine operators) to become a plant operator.

What attracted you to this project?

It's a new factory. I believe that we can all grow together. It's really great to be able to learn a new trade. It's an experience worth having.

How did you find the training?

I had to go back to school. I had to learn things I didn't know at all. It's completely different from what I was doing before. From that moment on, I got really into it. I learned, I did my best, and here I am. I spent five weeks in Nersac. When I applied, I talked about it with my son. He said, ‘Listen, Mum, if it's for the long term...’ I started my training in September 2023, graduated in February 2024 and was hired here on 1 March 2024 as a notching machine operator. It's the same job I did during my internships.

What are your daily tasks?

I operate a machine. I take the rolls from the calendering machine, which are then cut. The master roll is split into two daughter rolls. We follow all the steps from when the roll enters the machine, with the edges still uncut, and at the end we take it out, cut, so that it can be delivered to the stacking machine. I'm a machine operator, but I also train people who come to the notching department and don't know the job: TPCIMA interns, new recruits, work-study students, etc. I help them get to grips with the machine, explain quality control, how the machine works and how to feed the strip. The aim is for the operator to become autonomous as quickly as possible.

Did you expect to become a trainer?

I didn't expect to progress so quickly. It hasn't even been a year. At first, it was difficult for me, just as it is for the new recruits arriving now. I even said to myself, ‘Where have I ended up?’ You have to understand the machines. We've got through the most difficult stages. Moving up the ladder is what I expected from the company when I applied: to be integrated, to develop, to feel good. I have all that.

How do you view your career since you joined ACC?

In one year, I've developed quickly and learned a lot. And I'll continue to learn. It's not over yet, the adventure is just beginning, and I still want to develop. I'd even like to learn about other sectors and become more versatile. Or even train teams to launch BBD2, that could be good, it could be constructive. I'm done with hairdressing, I did it for 15 years. I see myself in the industry, I like it here. It hasn't been easy, but I've had the support of my family and friends. I had to take the plunge.

Do you have any advice for those thinking of taking the leap?

You have to be patient. You can't know everything overnight, so you have to be patient and believe in yourself. At the slightest problem, you mustn't tell yourself that you're not cut out for it. You mustn't get discouraged, because some days aren't going to be good. You mustn't give up. There's always something to learn, and we'll be learning for a long time to come. Everyone learns, even people who've been here for two or three years.