The educational engineer: the catalyst for innovative learning

Designing training programmes, developing teaching methods or integrating innovative tools... The educational engineer plays a key role in ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of training courses.. In other words, to offer high-quality training programmes tailored to the needs of the market and learners. Against a backdrop of ever-faster regulatory and technological change, they occupy a central position in ensuring that educational strategy goes hand in hand with innovation. What are the tasks, skills required, salary, advantages and disadvantages of this essential job for the future of training? Find all the answers in this job description.

Technological advances, regulatory changes, labour market needs, increased competition... Training organisations need to innovate and add value to the training programmes they create. To do this, they can rely on the pedagogical engineers, the real catalysts for change. Although they are not the main player in the training process, pedagogical engineers play an important role. essential role in facilitating and accelerating learning. Its multi-dimensional expertise encourages the adoption of new teaching approaches. The aim? To adapt to the new needs and practices of learners, such as distance learning and modularisation.

"The educational engineer stimulates and facilitates learning by driving positive change throughout the training process.

This profession, which is little known to the general public, is gradually gaining in importance beyond the education and training sector, i.e. within companies themselves. Indeed, the digital transformation is driving business lines to evolve ever more rapidly. This means that a large number of employees need to update their knowledge and skills on a regular basis.

The COVID-19 crisis put the spotlight on the profession. With the closure of educational establishments and training centres, tools and teaching methods have often had to be adapted to the distance learning format. The profession is sometimes summed up as e-learning or the virtual classroom. In reality, the educational engineer's field of action is much broader.

Expert in educationIt initiates and supports the transformation of teaching and training practices, with or without digital technology. An overview.

What are the main tasks of an educational engineer?

1/ Educational design

It designs training programmes or educational pathways in response to :

• the needs of learners in terms of developing their skills or acquiring knowledge;
• to the training objectives of companies.

To do this, it works with trainers and teachers, multimedia content creators, software publishers and digital educational solutions providers, etc.

Educational design is carried out on all types of media. It is therefore a good idea to be familiar with teaching platforms (LMS) and e-learning content creation tools.

"Our mission: to create learning experiences that are tailored to your needs".

This main task of educational design often goes hand in hand with :

• monitoring to identify business needs and, more broadly, the needs of learners;
• the design of training catalogues, educational products, training materials, etc. tests or activity, skills or job benchmarks;
• monitoring the administrative and financial compliance of training activities;
• updating educational, regulatory, professional and technical information.

2/ Developing appropriate teaching methods

Part of the educational engineer's work may involve producing materials to enable teachers and trainers to develop, modernise and diversify their teaching and teaching practices.

This means working hand in hand with teachers or trainers. This requiresestablish a relationship of trust even before any intervention on the course or training programme. Make suggestions, discuss and give feedback in a very tactful way.

"At ORSYS, our educational engineers work on a daily basis to provide quality training that adapts to changes in the business and incorporates the latest educational developments.

The educational engineer may also be responsible for managing, coordinating and leading educational teams and trainers.

3/ Project management

An educational engineer may work under a project manager. However, this is not always the case, in most cases he is the project manager. They must draw up specifications and define the product according to the customer's expectations. They must also monitor and ensure that the project runs smoothly. This ensures that deadlines are met and that quality is maintained.

What training and experience is needed to become an educational engineer?

To become an educational engineer, it's best to have a degree at bac +3 to bac +5. There are a number of courses at bac +3 level: a professional degree in training or education engineering, a web or multimedia bachelor's degree. To enhance their profile, they are advised to go on to study at bac +5 level. For example, a master's degree in training engineering, technology for education and training, educational science or digital humanities.

Please note: a background as a trainer is appreciated by recruiters.

The profession is also open to people with experience in education who wish to retrain. This experience can be supplemented by professional training, particularly in the following areas pedagogical engineering techniques.

What skills does an educational engineer need?

Educational engineers are multi-skilled. They are capable of creating a wide range of content: animations, sound editing, videos, etc. Their curiosity and adaptability mean that they are constantly updating their skills. Endowed with excellent teaching skills (listening, patience, etc.), they are also creative, even inventive, when it comes to producing original content. Solid project management skills give them a rigorous approach.

TECHNICAL SKILLS (hard skills)

• Knowledge of certification systems (RNCP, specific directory, titles, CQP, etc.) and quality approaches (Qualiopi, Datadock, ISO 9001, etc.)
• Knowledge of pedagogical concepts: Bloom's taxonomy, the 4 learning preferences, experiential learning, collaborative learning (social participation theory), etc.
• Master or at least have a keen interest in EdTech solutions: LMS (learning management system), educational applications, adaptive learning, etc.
• Ecodesign concepts
• Creative tools: Canva, Genially, Camtasia, Kumullus...
• Control ofcommunication and collaboration toolsTrello, Miro...
• Notions of graphics or at least graphic sense 
• Mastery of project management techniques

BEHAVIOURAL AND RELATIONAL SKILLS (soft skills)

• Excellent listening and analytical skills
• Good interpersonal skills, diplomacy, teaching skills, patience
• Team spirit
• Curiosity, eagerness to learn
• Creativity
• Reactivity

How much does an educational engineer earn?

Entry-level salaries range from €1,600 to €2,300 net per month. For more experienced profiles, remuneration can be in the region of €45,000 to €50,000 gross per annum. On averagean educational engineer wins 2 700 € monthly gross salary. Remuneration varies depending on the employer and the region.

What kind of working environment?

Educational engineers can work in a wide variety of organisations.

First of all, we think of higher education establishments and training organisations, for which this is the core business. But educational engineers can also work for companies, from start-ups to the largest international groups. In this case, the sectors of activity are very varied. And large companies sometimes have their own schools or training centres. Working in an agency, consultancy or design office is another option. But over the last few years, more and more companies (especially in the service sector) have been bringing these jobs in-house.

Educational engineers may also work on a freelance basis for large companies, training organisations, the public sector, etc.

What are the career prospects for educational engineers?

In the private sector, an educational engineer may move into a training quality management position. They may also move into human resources as training managers or skills development managers. Another career option is to become a trainer.

In the public sector, on the other hand, opportunities for advancement are more limited.

What are the attractions and constraints of this job?