Holberton School, the tech school born in Silicon Valley, is opening its sixth campus in France in Bordeaux.

Next June, a new Holberton campus will open its doors in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, in Cenon. Integrated into Actual group's training network¹, this unique school dedicated to digital professions will train students through experiential learning, helping businesses access the profiles needed to stay competitive.

Following the success of the first campuses (Lille, Paris, Laval, Toulouse, Thonon-les-Bains), Holberton School is establishing its sixth location near Bordeaux.A geographical choice that meets strong local demand for digital professions.It also addresses the lack of project-based digital training—that is, training oriented toward business needs. The economic dynamism of France's 6th largest urban area and its international influence were also key factors. The opening of this campus will take place in partnership with local players who are benchmarks in vocational training but previously absent from the digital field.

“The rapid deployment of Holberton School in France responds to high demand in digital professions: 350,000 positions are to be filled in the sector!”

Julien Cyr
Founding member of Holberton and Managing Director of Holberton France

The Bordeaux campus, which will welcome its first class on June 5, will enable students to follow a learning method that has proven its worth. Over 4,000 students have already been trained worldwide! Holberton School makes the right to training for everyone a core element of its DNA, based on four key pillars:

1. no degree required, but an online test to evaluate learners' skills and motivation;
2. no typical student profile, but a school open to all life paths (students, career changes, educational reorientation…);
3. no teachers, but real-world projects to be carried out between students and across campuses, supported by an expert programming coach;
4. no financial barrier thanks to an innovative funding mechanism allowing students to pay tuition once they land a job.

The training, perfectly tailored to business needs, ensures employment upon graduation!

“Opening doors to as many people as possible is a key value of Holberton. Faced with the growing needs of the Bordeaux metropolitan area, we are delighted to offer all residents of Gironde an inclusive pedagogy, regardless of degree or age, to enable everyone to train in digital skills.”

Baptiste Rousseau
Director of the Holberton Campus – Cenon

The school has three intakes per year (February, June, and October) and trains its students in all computer programming professions.

A 9-month program allows students to master all the fundamentals (C language, Python, Javascript, HTML/CSS, DevOps) and become directly employable, granting access to a Level 5 RNCP qualification (equivalent to 2 years of higher education). The school also provides advanced training programs ranging from three months (back-end/front-end specialization) to 9 months (artificial intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, full stack). These courses are certified with a Level 6 RNCP qualification (equivalent to 4 years of higher education).

Beyond technical excellence, Holberton sets itself apart through a focus on soft skills.

To guarantee the professionalization of students, the teaching method includes the acquisition of “soft skills” providing the tools to collaborate effectively with colleagues, speak in public, or write accessible technical articles.

The Gironde-based school will be led by Baptiste Rousseau, a former Deloitte consultant specializing in digital transformation, supported by Julien Cyr, founding member of Holberton and Managing Director of Holberton France

Students will join the vast Holberton School community present in France as well as around the world. Enrollment is already open for the upcoming June and October intakes. Located opposite the “Jean-Jaurès” tram stop in Cenon and in close proximity to its train station, Holberton's Gironde campus will welcome its first students on June 5, 2023.

About Actual

Today the 5th largest player in the labor and employment market in France, Actual group is a French group with a resolutely humanistic vision, advocating daily to facilitate the right to work for everyone. Organized around 4 core businesses—temporary staffing, recruitment, support, and training—the group is No. 1 in inclusive temporary employment in France. Led by Samuel Tual, a committed entrepreneur, Actual group has developed genuine expertise in supporting individuals into employment across France, as well as in Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland, through employment solutions and skill development. The group also offers a comprehensive range of HR solutions to assist companies and find or create the skills they need. With 4,000 employees and more than 600 branches across the region, Actual group currently supports 33,000 companies and 156,000 job seekers, achieving a revenue of 1.5 billion in 2024. Its ambition is to build together the work of women and men, everywhere in France.

About Holberton School

Established in 15 countries,Holberton Schoolwas launched by two French engineers in 2015, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Thanks to a partnership in France with Actual group, a French leader in employment solutions, Holberton School aims to democratize access to digital professions and provide a concrete response to the country's talent shortage. Holberton School relies on the principle of peer learning, a 95% practical methodology that fosters collaboration and teamwork, thereby driving collective emulation. The school is opening its doors in Lille, Laval, Paris, Toulouse, and Thonon-les-Bains, and aims to develop in close partnership with public training stakeholders and local businesses.

Contacts, information and practical links

Michaël Draï
Actual group Press Office
Tel:06 60 41 86 78
Email:drai@uneidee.com

Guillaume Neron Bancel
Actual group Communications
Email:guillaume.neronbancel@groupeactual.eu

1. Actual group is the 5th largest player in the labor and employment market in France. Led by Samuel Tual, Actual has been developing 360° employment and training solutions for 30 years; Holberton is integrated into its training ecosystem alongside ESUP and Lektio.