With its general, technological and professional training, Branly is the high school that goes up to Châtellerault. The upcoming workforce (more than 1,150 students at the start of the 2024 school year) attest to this. Among its numerous sectors of excellence, there is the RPIP terminal (realization of printed and multimedia products). A class of 23 students (Bac Pro) who are intended for the printing trades (graphic designer, printer, shaping …). They are formed, depending on the option chosen, in graphic products (publications, e-book, websites, etc.) or printed products (flyers, posters, newspapers, etc.).
Maëliss, Thomas and Kyllian target the title of MAF
Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17, 2025, three students from this last option, selected, participated in the regional competition of best apprentice in France (MAF) in the printing category: Maëliss Gillard, 17, Thomas Agis-Lefebvre, 18 and Kyllian Houzé, 18 (apprentice at Ape in Neuville-de-Poitou).
A print test noted on the Beatles.
© (Photo NR-CP, Denys Frétier)
For their test, the three prepress candidates had to work on an A3 format poster with an imposed theme: the Beatles. A poster to print with specifications to be observed. And in particular to succeed in a mixture of two or more colors to obtain a single shade, using the Pantone color chart (the guide to the thousands of codified shades). Duration: half a day.
A MOF in the top present
Our three printers, who master printing machines (Press Offset), graphic production on Mac, the CTP plaque (Computer-to-Plate) or even the massicot, are then noted. By a jury made up of teachers (1) equipped with densitometers and investigation. “The jurors are based on an evaluation grid with several criteria: realization of the two Pantone, organization and cleaning of the workstation, safety, printing monitoring (inking) …”explains Yohann Ingot, printing professor in Branly and competition coordinator.
What if a Branly high school student was sacred?
© (Photo NR-CP, Denys Frétier)
Present, the Chauvinois Tourneur and torsor on wood, Patrick Arlot, crowned best worker in France (MOF) in 2023, knows more than anyone the importance of this competition reserved for young talents under the age of 21, whatever the discipline: “Whether you are a craftsman, master craftsman, companion, MOF or MAF, we have a duty to transmit our know-how to young and old. We know full well that professions will disappear and others arrive. You have to save know-how. These competitions, these medals, these diplomas are recognition. »»
The three candidates of the competition will have to obtain the note of 17/20 to qualify for the national MAF competition planned in Strasbourg at the end of June.
Philippe Lainé, Deputy Director of Professional Training at the Branly high school, in front of the venerable Heidelberg Press of 1964. This one no longer draws its 5,000 sheets per hour but still sits in good place in the corridors of the school.
© (Photo NR-CP, Denys Frétier)
Printing generations since 1967
In the meantime, the Lycée Branly perpetuates the transmission of its know-how by forming generations of printers since the first promotion (typographers) in 1967. Maëliss, Thomas and Kyllian are the heirs and ambassadors of learning, a real passport for employment.
(1) Lionel Pouet, professor of printing, Thierry Germon, workshop manager (42 years of profession in the rotary printing house), Didier Sivadier (president of the jury).
