• The Foundation’s dual education class will be run in collaboration with the “Paul Dimo” Vocational School in Galati and will be available to 20 ninth grade students
• Launched in the presence of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania and Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie of Romania

GFG Foundation in Romania, in partnership with LIBERTY Galati, is launching a dual education system, offering new career opportunities for young people. The launch took place in the presence of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania, His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania, Her Royal Highness Princess Sophie of Romania and other representatives of the Romanian Royal Household during their visit to LIBERTY Galați.

The dual education programme  at the “Paul Dimo” Vocational School in Galati, will see 20 students in the ninth grade combining a mixture of vocational and technical training, merging theoretical knowledge taught by teachers with practical activities carried out by LIBERTY Galati mentors.

Students will have the opportunity to work alongside experts from Liberty Galati to develop their technical skills. As well as embarking on  fun activities to develop their life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and confidence building.

Speaking after the launch of the GFG Foundation’s dual education programme in Romania, Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Chairman of the GFG Alliance and Founder of the GFG Foundation, said: “I am very honoured Her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses were able to join us at LIBERTY Galati for this special day. The Foundation’s aim is to give students some important skills to help them towards being job-ready after school. These learning programmes are designed to involve students in problem solving real-world issues that are happening in their local communities, helping to close the emerging skills gap, particularly in science and engineering. Our programmes help to nurture the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future and I can think of nowhere better to launch the dual learning programme  than here at LIBERTY Galati, where we have exciting plans to be a GREENSTEEL producer of the future.”

Georgina Crumpton, General Manager GFG Alliance & GFG Foundation said: “The dual education programme  aims to develop both technical and interpersonal skills – communication, collaboration, and self-confidence. In addition, GFG Foundation students will also work with UK-based education provider Rewise Learning, who will deliver a bespoke programme, resulting in an additional UK accredited qualification. Throughout the programme there is a strong focus on building self-esteem, so that students develop a confidence in using their own voice, expressing their points of view, so they are better able to navigate an adult world after school. The GFG Foundation is pleased to support this educational programme and the young people in Galati.”

Aida Nechifor, General Director of LIBERTY Galati added: “LIBERTY Galati is undergoing an extensive process of transformation into a GREENSTEEL producer by 2030. This transformation will only be possible with a well-trained team of specialists. That is why we are happy to support this programme and to welcome the GFG Foundation students to learn more about  future job opportunities and how industry is changing  from the best possible mentors. I also congratulate the parents who encourage their children towards industry, because in doing so, we are building the green future of our community and our country.”

Prof. Anca Ușer, Principal of the “Paul Dimo” Vocational School said: “I warmly invite the 8th grade students to apply to this unique programme in the country!  We are excited to collaborate with the GFG Foundation and LIBERTY Galati to develop new learning methods such as this dual education project. Starting this autumn we are opening for the first-time innovative courses for future electricians, where students will actively learn both in the classroom and alongside specialists. I am also pleased to see the growing interest of the business community in training the workforce.”

A dual education system is one in which apprenticeships at a company is combined with courses in a vocational school. Students who will graduate from 8^th grade in 2022 can enrol at “Paul Dimo” Vocational School in the dual education class by completing the enrolment forms between July 4^th and July 8^th, 2022, using 567D code.

Founded by Sanjeev Gupta and his wife Nicola, the GFG Foundation is a charitable organization that aims to develop educational programs that give young people an insight into industry through real-world experiences, while developing their confidence, communication, and interpersonal skills. Established in the UK in 2017 and launching in Romania in August 2021, the GFG Foundation works with educational partners to help thousands of young people through science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) programs to develop entrepreneurial skills and inspire them by presenting opportunities in their community.

For the 5th year in a row, the two main pillars of the local economy have awarded the pupils with outstanding study results in Galaţi County. The winners of the top three positions of the school Olympics at national level and the members of national teams have been awarded prizes in a ceremony held at the Musical Theater ”Nae Leonard” on June 11, and afterwards, together with their teachers and guests, attended a musical performance. The awards offered are the highest of the kind in Romania.

“We are happy to continue – along with our partners from Damen – rewarding exceptional pupils in our community. I am delighted that, this year, there are good results in various subjects of study, particularly the technical and technological ones, but also in foreign languages, arts, sports or astrophysics. For us, this is a good signal, considering that we intend to retain locally welltrained and passionate young people. The future looks bright when looking at these children”, stated Bogdan Grecu, Chief Executive Officer of LIBERTY Galați.

“It has been 5 years now, since Damen Shipyards Galati and the Steel Plant of Galati first joined hands to reward the achievements of the worthy prize-winners in our county, those pupils with remarkable results in the school Olympics. With an inquisitive mind and a lot of work, having always the dedication and guidance of the teachers on their side, these young people have immense potential, consolidate hopes for our bright future, both the shipyard’s and that of the local community. Today’s event is, along with many others, part of our social responsibility program and reflects the extent we give to education and to the capitalization of human resources”, said Rino Brugge, Managing Director of Damen Shipyards Galati.

The two companies have consolidated their partnership in other local educational projects so far, steadily supporting the young generation in Galati.

56 students from the Galaţi, Iaşi, Bucharest and Cluj universities were selected to participate at the Galati Plant Summer School, already reaching its eighth edition.

For the next two and a half months, the students, along with their mentors – experts of the Steel Plant, will work on projects that aims to solve technical or organizational difficulties.

The students will benefit from training sessions to develop their communication skills, presentation techniques and a team building in which they will strengthen their role in their teams. During the Summer School, the interns are full-time employees.

“In a volatile, ever-changing reality, like the present one, we need a solid foundation, we need knowledge. Change is normal and without following it, there is no progress. Be curious, learn, and I guarantee you that your experience after today will significantly weigh in your later journey”, encouraged Mihaela Crăciun, Head of Human Resources Department.

“I am honored and glad to have participated in the last few years at Galati Steel Plant Summer School, the most important program of its kind countrywide. From year to year I have noticed a growing participation of our students. I congratulate the students that have chosen to develop professionally, not only theoretically, in school, but also by practical activities, going through the production flow in the Steel Plant, which will complete their technical expertise. I see that blue is our common color now, that is: seriousness, responsibility, professionalism”, said Gelu Gurguiatu, Dean of the Faculty of Automation, Computers, Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

So far, nearly 300 students have graduated the Summer School of the Plant, some of whom have become employees of the Steel Plant.