“We launch a new learning format, aimed at a very broad target audience”: Auressia Cauchois, Training Director, E-learning Composites Academy

JEC Composites Magazine: Can you tell us how the Composites Academy e-learning platform came about?

Auressia Cauchois: Composites Expert created its commercial brand ‘E-Learning Composites Academy’ in 2019. This new training concept combines independent theory, practical exercises, the support of a tutor who is an expert in the field and the integration of teaching tools such as software, simulators and material boxes, to provide a unique learning environment. Jean-Pierre (editor’s note: Jean-Pierre Cauchois, founder of Composites Expert) wanted to pass on more than 40 years of professional experience and, above all, explain complex physical phenomena as simply as possible. With this in mind, a wide range of content has been developed, providing an essential catalogue for understanding the processes involved in transforming composite materials.

How is your current training catalogue structured?

A.C.: First of all, we wanted to offer several levels: level 1 – Initiation, level 2 – Intermediate, level 3 – Advanced and we are already working on a fourth level – Expert – for the ‘Introduction to thermoplastic polymers’ module. Very detailed training programmes have been drawn up for each course. All our content is available in French and in English. These 2 specialities are rounded out by a common core of ‘General principles of composite materials’, followed by ‘Thermoset and thermoplastic composites’, ‘RTM & Infusion technologies’, ‘Prepreg materials’, ‘Introduction to thermoplastic polymers’, ‘Stamping’ and ‘Welding’.

What type of customers do you have, and which functions (operators, engineers, sales staff, etc.) are most in demand for your modules?

A.C.: Our customer base is varied. Our training courses mainly deal with transformation processes. Our trainees are technicians, engineers, research and development staff and methods offices. Some of our courses have been designed specifically for journeymen, operators and support services (sales, technical, etc.). What’s more, our concept in its entirety, i.e. content and teaching tools, is perfectly suited to teachers, who can appropriate this teaching approach in their own way and according to their needs.

You have obtained Qualiopi certification. What does this mean in practical terms?

A.C.: We started this procedure in 2021, with audits taking place every 18 months, either for certification or a so-called ‘surveillance’ audit. We renewed our Qualiopi certification in October 2024, with no non-conformities. We are very proud of this French distinction, which is designed to recognise and promote the rigour and seriousness of a training organisation at every stage of its process, from needs analysis to post-training feedback from stakeholders. Above all, Qualiopi certification enables companies to apply for partial or total funding of their training courses. For our customers, it’s also a reassuring reflection of a diligent, conscientious and responsible organisation.

You will soon be launching a new offering. What can you tell us about it today? What targets have you already identified?

A.C.: We will shortly be offering a new learning format, aimed at a very broad target audience, that is easy to access (for reading on phones, tablets and computers), clear, engaging, progressive, easy to adapt and above all easy to understand and packed with animation. This new offering, called Micro-Learning, is aimed at working professionals, students, training managers, HR directors, companies, new employees and, more generally, anyone wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of composite materials in a flexible, fast, simple, concise and appropriate way, whether in a professional, industrial, academic or personal context. Like the series we watch on various platforms, E-Learning Composites Academy will be offering and rolling out its first season on composite materials. To mark the occasion, we have created a platform dedicated to this product.

Season 1 will begin with 10 episodes, inviting subscribers to an interactive phase at the end of the course to validate their knowledge. The format is no more than 8 minutes long, so it fits easily into even the busiest day-to-day schedule. It will initially be available in French, English and Portuguese, with other languages to be added by the end of the year. Portuguese meets a constant demand from the Brazilian market, which is extremely keen on training and wants to acquire new knowledge and skills. We will be represented by G12 Innovation for the deployment of our Micro-Learning in Brazil. The idea is really to offer a subscription at a very attractive price for a short format, but without compromising on the quality of our content, which is our hallmark. E-Learning Composites Academy will be offering one season a year, so as to expand the catalogue of this short format. People can visit our stand at JEC World, Booth 6N04-10, to find out more and obtain a promotional code for your first subscription.

In a nutshell, this new learning format fits perfectly into daily routines, offers an increasingly popular approach and meets the needs of a varied audience looking to save time and focus on the essentials.

In what way does this approach to popularising composites, in the noble sense of the term, complement your core offering?

A.C.: In fact, these 2 training concepts – our specific training courses and our Micro-Learning – are aimed at 2 distinct audiences. The courses on thermosetting and thermoplastic composite materials, with the support of tutors and teaching tools, meet a demand from industrial teams wishing to go into greater depth and master the transformation processes. They deal with advanced concepts, but as you say, they are simplified to make them easier to understand and transpose into the professional and industrial environment.

Micro-Learning, on the other hand, is designed to enable a wide audience to discover and deepen their knowledge in this field. During our regular exchanges through our training courses, presentations and trade fairs, we realised that many people wanted to take the step into composite materials but didn’t have enough information to understand them, so we are dedicating this Micro-Learning to them.

What are your objectives for JEC World 2025?

A.C.: First and foremost, this showcase should enable us to assert our reputation and legitimacy with a unique concept and our existing offerings, but also to present our catalogue, our boxes and our training tools, which we are adding to every year. It will also be an opportunity for everyone to discover our subscription platform and our new Micro-Learning product, a short learning format, and to enjoy the feedback. Last but not least, the show will be an opportunity to welcome our customers and future customers to the world of composites.

A final word?

Once again this year, as in previous years, the JEC World show is a fantastic opportunity to meet the public and reveal our latest training content. 2025 will see the launch of our new Micro-Learning format, prepared and offered as THE exciting series, focused on Composite Materials. Each year, subscribers will discover: 1 season, 10 episodes and, above all, the acquisition of new knowledge through interaction. A resolutely contemporary format to develop and encourage curiosity, which is designed to be fun, modern and flexible.

Discover the E-Learning Composites Academy teaser.

Cover photo: Auressia Cauchois, E-learning Composites Academy