LIBERTY Ostrava and the GFG Foundation Czech Republic have launched an educational programme for 29 first-year electrician students at the Secondary School of Electrical Engineering in Ostrava, in partnership with the UK’s Rewise Learning.

Over the three-year programme, the students will do an internship at LIBERTY Ostrava’s operations, work with experienced mentors from across the business and take tours of the mill. The plan is that they will focus on topics such as digitalization, automation or the environment as well as embarking on activities to develop their life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and confidence building. The GFG Foundation will cover all the costs, and the study programme will be free of charge for parents and the school.

The students started the entire educational program at the training center in LIBERTY Ostrava, then spent the second day together with teachers and mentors from LIBERTY Ostrava in the Beskydy Mountains. Educational and engaging exercises aimed at igniting their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects through practical activities were intended in a natural and fun way. Students were particularly inspired by the challenge to design and build a car which they then raced against each other, allowing them to develop basic electrical, as well as teamwork and problem-solving skills.

“We are leaders in the effort to make our planet a cleaner and greener place, with our GREENSTEEL transformation aiming to reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of steel by 95 percent by 2030. That transition will be achieved using modern production technology, based around hybrid electric arc furnaces, so this programme focused on electricians will be crucial for our future operations,” says Pavel Šedivý, Executive Director of LIBERTY Ostrava.

“We are very pleased to launch the GFG Foundation’s student programme in Ostrava. We seek to inspire and help young people to reach their life and employment potential, helping them and the wider community,” says Georgina Crumpton, General Manager of GFG Foundation.

“The aim of our programme is to prepare not only experienced professionals but also ambitious and responsible employees for our operations,” emphasises Denisa Sedláčková, Director of Human Resources at LIBERTY Ostrava.

The GFG Foundation is an international foundation that was established in the UK in 2017 by Nicola and Sanjeev Gupta. Over six years of its operation, the foundation has expanded to three other countries, including the Czech Republic and has supported 9,000 students. It has clear and specific objectives and detailed programmes to help young people develop their skills, particularly in the engineering, metals and renewable energy sectors. This also strengthens their employment prospects.