Early childhood memories are part of what has inspired the launch and growth of the GFG Foundation, writes Sanjeev Gupta.
I firmly believe that inspiring and nurturing the next generation is a key part of creating sustainable industry across the world.
We have seen a decline in industry in many markets around the globe, and because of that we’ve seen a decline of interest from young people coming into the workforce.
Some of my most cherished memories from my childhood were the ones that inspired who I am today. I remember as a young man running around my father’s bicycle factory or my grandfather’s steel plants taking it all in. These are etched in my memory, part of who I am and a big part of what drives me.
In 2017, Nicola and I launched the GFG Foundation in the United Kingdom. We wanted to inspire, support and develop young people’s industrial skills, to give them the opportunity to be a part of industry at a young age and prepare them for the future.
And we are making serious progress.
The Foundation is now providing scholarships for students across the United Kingdom, and working closely with His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales’ Industrial Cadets to deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills development to 4,000 young industrialists by 2020.
We’ve also launched the GFG Foundation in Australia, to nurture the next generation of industry in Whyalla, in partnership with the iconic Whyalla Steelworks.
But we are only at the start of this journey.
Nicola and I want to help inspire the next generation of industrialists, like my family inspired me – and there is more to be done.
