GTR partners with Speakers for Schools for Green Skills Week

During this year’s Green Skills Week (5^th– 9^th April), the UK’s largest rail operator is taking the opportunity to inspire the next generation about a sustainable future. In partnership with UK charity, Speakers for Schools, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will discuss how its dedicated environment team are working hard to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

The virtual event, which takes place on Tuesday 6^th April from 10:00 – 12:00, will give the audience – aged 14 and above – insight into how the transport industry is tackling climate change by covering topics like decarbonisation, waste, water, air quality and adapting to climate change.

Patrick Clements, Head of Safety and Environment at GTR, says: “We’re excited to team up with Speakers for Schools on this important event. We all know we need to live more sustainably and at GTR, we are doing huge amounts in this space already, with more plans in the pipeline.

“Green Skills Week is the perfect opportunity to show the future generation just how many environmentally-focussed roles are on offer in the railway. It’s an opportunity for them to learn how an industrial organisation such as ours is tackling climate change and will hopefully inspire them to consider a role in rail and join us on our mission,” he added.

Jason Elsom, CEO of Speakers for Schools, said: “As the pandemic presents unprecedented barriers to young people, this is a great opportunity to help them imagine an exciting future and start to equip them with the skills and experiences they need to flourish in the Green Economy. As the UK aims to reach net-zero by 2050, the key players to make this happen are in education today and together we must build pathways for all young people to contribute to this ambitious goal.”

Students of secondary school, college and A-Level age who are interested in signing up to the event can do so until Thursday 18^th March 2021. The session from GTR and Speakers for Schools will start at 10:00 on Tuesday 6th April and more information on the event can be found here.

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Notes for Editors

About Speakers for Schools:

Speakers for Schools was founded in 2010 by ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston, and supported by the Law Family Charitable Foundation, with a mission to help level the playing field for young people of all backgrounds. The charity aims to end educational inequality by giving all young people access to the same prestigious networks available to the top fee-paying schools in the UK. It provides talks from influential figures as well as work experiences linking state school students to industry-leading companies and networked support partners. The charity has since expanded its services to include the Youth Card, a personalised app that brings the world of curated discounts and life-preparing opportunities to the fingertips of young people across the UK.

For further information, images or interviews contact press@speakersforschools.org

About the green economy:

The green economy is defined as one in which value and growth are maximised across the whole economy, while natural assets are managed sustainably. Such an economy would be supported and enabled by a thriving low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. Environmental damage would be reduced, while energy security, resource efficiency and resilience to climate change would all be increased. The transition to a green economy requires a workforce with the right skills. This includes not only skills in the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector, but also those needed to help all businesses use natural resources efficiently and sustainably and to be resilient to climate change. (HM Government Skills for a Green Economy)

If you are interested in supporting the Green Industrial Revolution and would like to get involved, please contact us at: partner@greenskillsweek.org

If you are a school, college or university and would like to be a part of Green Skills Week 2021 please contact us at: speak@greenskillsweek.org

To find out more visit www.greenskillsweek.org