This autumn, LIBERTY Galați together with the GFG Foundation are launching several projects dedicated to the new generation, proving their long-term commitment to a greener and cleaner future in Galați. Hundreds of graduates, students, pupils and trainees have benefitted and will continue to benefit from the educational opportunities offered within the complex programmes implemented in Galati.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the steel industry, LIBERTY has set up the GREENSTEEL Academy, which aims to develop the existing and future workforce through innovative education programmes. For students and master level graduates, LIBERTY Galati aims on launching a new class of the Discover GREENSTEEL module, after the success of the first course launched in autumn 2022. Discover GREENSTEEL is an accredited programme at “Dunarea de Jos University” of Galati, developed by LIBERTY Galati specialists and aiming to educate university students and master level graduates about the technologies of the future of green steel production.

LIBERTY Galati will open its gates to young university graduates who will be joining its GRADUATES programme for a chance to acquire comprehensive knowledge of the business by working in several areas of the company as well as benefiting from international development opportunities. GRADUATES is an ambitious 2-year programme dedicated to recent graduates who want a career in the steel industry and who want to contribute to the company’s decarbonisation plans. Designed by our team at LIBERTY Galați and implemented under GREENSTEEL Academy’s umbrella, the programme will be extended to other European group companies, including LIBERTY Ostrava in the Czech Republic and LIBERTY Czestochowa in Poland.

For high-school students, LIBERTY Galati is also organizing customized practical stages program in partnerships with four high schools in Galati. About 140 students from classes at Paul Dimo, Aurel Vlaicu, Radu Negru and Costache Conachi Technological High Schools will be welcomed to LIBERTY Galati for practical stages throughout the school year working with our teams of specialists and mentors in various production departments.

The Head of Human Resources at LIBERTY Galati said: “This new generation of young people is the future of Galati and the future of our company. Our numerous educational programmes show our long-term support and commitment to the community. LIBERTY Galati and GFG Foundation are great supporters of the city and together we have assumed this important role – to educate and engage our students and graduates into transforming our industry into a greener and cleaner one, for the benefit of our employees, our families and our community. We will continue to be a reliable partner for high schools, Dunarea de Jos University and for the entire educational sector in Galati.”

LIBERTY Galati is collaborating with GFG Foundation to develop more projects dedicated to the education of the new generation, such as the dual learning programme for future electricians at Paul Dimo Technological High School. More than 40 students from the 9^th and 10^th grade are supported by GFG Foundation with monthly scholarships and personalised educational programmes with the opportunity to study in a specially equipped workshop with work and protection equipment. Teamwork, competition, and practical use of knowledge are among the innovative teaching methods applied in the dual learning programme that includes periodical events and interesting activities.

This autumn, GFG Foundation and LIBERTY Galati also organised a relaxed and fun event combining individual and group exercises focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The 9^th grade students built electric cars and competed against each other, while the 10^th grade students learned the difference between an electric arc furnace and a blast furnace, before building miniature blast furnaces.

Georgina Crumpton, General Manager of the GFG Alliance and the GFG Foundation, welcomed the participants to the event, saying: “This is part of the learning process of both the STEM subjects and essential life skills. Together with the GFG Foundation team and LIBERTY mentors, we are able to offer young people a real chance at a successful career and a fulfilling life. Investing in future generations is a fantastic opportunity for the community of Galati, our industry, and also the national economy.”

Following the success of the dual learning programme in Romania, the GFG Foundation in the Czech Republic has started a similar programme with LIBERTY Ostrava, in partnership with the Ostrava Secondary School of Electrical Engineering and Rewise Learning and has already welcomed 29 future electricians.