Could you describe your experience with the V.I.E Program? John initiated the V.I.E program at ENGIE, after a French acquaintance working as a V.I.E in the U.S. introduced it to him a few years prior. “A close friend from SAFRAN talked to me about the program”, he explains, “I saw the benefits of having V.I.Es, […]
John Gantner
Director of Engineering and Delivery in Distributed Solar and Storage
ENGIE is a global leader in energy and services, operating in over 70 countries with a workforce of 170,000 employees. Serving millions of customers worldwide, they are committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral world, through energy-efficient solutions that are more environmentally friendly. At ENGIE, the V.I.E program is more than just a pathway to international experience — it’s a story of ambition, diversity, and growth.
John, Director of Engineering and Delivery in Distributed Solar and Storage, Janean, HR Business Partner, and Arnaud, V.I.E in the Business Development team accepted to share their thoughts on the program.
Could you describe your experience with the V.I.E Program?
John initiated the V.I.E program at ENGIE, after a French acquaintance working as a V.I.E in the U.S. introduced it to him a few years prior. “A close friend from SAFRAN talked to me about the program”, he explains, “I saw the benefits of having V.I.Es, and I knew it was something I wanted to bring to ENGIE”.
John is proud of the international environment at ENGIE. “Over the last few summers, we’ve welcomed V.I.Es from France,” he says. “We’ve had volunteers from different backgrounds, including finance and sales, and the diversity they bring is amazing. Our office has people from the U.S., South America, and France, which helps build a close-knit, global team.”
Among them, Arnaud, 23-year-old V.I.E working in ENGIE’s Business Development team, shares the ambition to further develop ENGIE’s growth. “I joined ENGIE in November 2023, and I was the only V.I.E in my team, though we’re expanding. In 2024, our Chicago office is one of the most active with the program: we have seven or eight in total here,” he explains.
“To be fair, the only department within ENGIE North America that doesn’t have any V.I.E is Operations, though I believe they’re in the process of recruiting one as we speak.” John laughs.
John receives three times more candidates through the V.I.E program compared to posting on local job boards. As a recent example, the project manager position that had been published 3 weeks earlier on the dedicated V.I.E program website had about 110 qualified candidates.
“This is largely due to the ambition and motivation of French and European participants, who see the value in this unique opportunity. It also helps that there is a single, dedicated platform for V.I.E applicants, simplifying the search process for us.”
ENGIE ensures that V.I.Es have the support they need to grow both professionally and personally. Each V.I.E has an assigned mentor, often with an international background, to guide them. The team also encourages bonding outside of work through lunches and social activities. “It helps that there are other V.I.Es here, especially for logistical questions, and the team is always welcoming,” explains Arnaud.
Janean, from the HR team at the Houston office, notes that many V.I.Es have clear career goals, which sets them apart from regular interns. “The volunteers are ambitious and driven. They come to build a career, not just to gain experience. That focus makes them a valuable asset to the company, and it’s why we often see them stay with us after their program ends.”
