Everything you need to know about the Ecological and Climate Transition of Territories and Organizations (TECTO) pathway.
I. About the Programme
- A one-year work-study program, combining theory and practice.
- An interdisciplinary education in environmental sciences, engineering sciences, urban planning, humanities and social sciences…
- A collective territorial project and a professional thesis throughout the program.
- 50% of courses taught by transition professionals and 50% by faculty-researchers.
- A pedagogical approach fostering reflexivity, cooperation, and collective intelligence.
Adopting a territorial and systemic approach, the TECTO training program fosters an ecological transition by integrating local dynamics and addressing the complex ecological and climate challenges. This program aims to support the development of strategic directions and the operational implementation of roadmaps within organizations or territories.
The TECTO program takes place on the Saint-Étienne campus.
The campus offers an ideal setting to foster interdisciplinary learning and collaborate on high-impact regional projects.
II. Programme and Pedagogy
The professional thesis is an in-depth project conducted throughout the program, supervised by an academic tutor and a company or community mentor.
It aims to analyze and address a real ecological transition issue, integrating theory and practice.
Objectives:
- to propose operational solutions to the host organization,
- to develop a reflective and strategic engineering mindset,
- and contribute to the dissemination of sustainability practices.
The “territory-school” project is a two-week field immersion, in partnership with EPURES (urban planning agency for the Loire territories) and other local stakeholders.
Learners respond to a real territorial request.
It is a powerful moment of collective learning and experimentation.
The training lasts 1 year, from October to September.
The alternating schedule is 2 weeks at the School / 2 weeks in a company, with a full-time period in a host organization from mid-June to late September.
III. Admission and Funding
The admission process includes:
- Online application submission.
- Application review by the admissions committee.
- An individual motivational interview.
- Search and validation of a host organization (company, public body, association).
💡 Tip: Apply as early as possible to benefit from support in finding a work-study placement.
No specific prior specialization is required.
The diversity of backgrounds is considered an asset for the program (engineering, urban planning, energy, environment, economics, etc.).
Tuition fees are:
- €12,500 excl. VAT for companies;
- €10,000 excl. VAT for public and semi-public institutions, local authorities.
Several funding options are available depending on your status:
- Apprenticeship or professionalization contract (OPCO-funded),
- Skills development plan,
- Transition Pro, Transition Co or France Travail, depending on the profile.
Each candidate receives personalized support for preparing their application.
TECTO is intended for engineers and Master’s degree holders (Master’s, engineering school, or equivalent) who wish to commit to the ecological and societal transition.
It welcomes:
- working engineers,
- professionals in career transition,
- recent graduates eager to complement their technical training with a systemic and territorial approach.
IV. Career Prospects and Employment
The TECTO program launched recently. The first graduates will soon join the workforce.
TECTO paves the way for advancements in the learner’s current roles (for continuing education participants) or for diverse positions, for example:
- Officer for Ecological Transition or Climate,
- Project Manager for Territorial Resilience,
- Head of Sustainable Development,
- Low-Carbon Strategy Consultant,
- Coordinator for Climate-Air-Energy Plan,
- Environmental Strategy Advisor.
At a Glance
🎓 Degree depending on profile
• CTI-accredited specialized engineering degree
• Institutional diploma (Master of Science in Engineering 2 or equivalent 5-year post-secondary degree)
📅 Work-study program (18 weeks out of 52 in school-based training)
• October to May: 2 weeks in school-based training / 2 weeks in a host organization (company, local authority, association)
• June to September: 100% in a host organization
🕓 Duration
1 year (from October to September)
📍 Location
École des Mines de Saint-Étienne
158, cours Fauriel
42023 Saint-Étienne
📘 Teaching methods
Learning by doing (workshops, collective project, professional thesis, corporate mission)
Contacts
Academic Directors
TECTO brochure
An Accredited and Recognized Program

The TECTO program – Ecological and Climate Transition of Territories and Organizations is a specialized engineering program, accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (CTI).
The program is registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP 40958).
It awards a specialized engineering degree, recognized by the State and industry, equivalent to Bac + 6.
In Coordination with Collège ingénierie

With the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region
