OGE supports educational program for young people with 24,000 euros annually

Essen-based gas grid operator Open Grid Europe (OGE) supports the educa- tional initiative "Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Germany e.V." at . The initiative supports young people in strengthening their skills and experiencing self-efficacy. The program is aimed at school pupils and trainees between the ages of 14 and 24 who are looking for a personal challenge in their free time. They set themselves goals that they want to achieve over a period of six months to one and a half years. In doing so, they are accompanied by self-chosen confidants, usually teachers from their school or employees from their company, and gain valuable experience for their self-confidence. More than 13 million young people in over 140 countries have already completed the program.

"The Duke Award and OGE pursue the same goal: to strengthen young people in their personal development. We are therefore delighted to be able to support the organization in the coming years," says Vera Gramkow, Global Head of Talent, Learning, Wellbeing & Inclusion at OGE. The gas network operator from Essen has been committed to the topic of health and wellbeing for many years, both among its own employees and in society.

This is why OGE is supporting the "Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Germany e.V." with 24,000 euros per year, initially for three years, i.e. a total of 72,000 euros. Employees of the Essen-based company are also involved in the program, in which junior employees also participate. The association is the Ger­man branch of the organization originally founded in the United Kingdom by German educator Kurt Hahn and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip. The as­sociation will use the money donated to further expand its program in Germany. For example, it supports schools, companies, educational institutions, church associations, charities and scout groups that participate in the program.

"We are grateful to be able to equip even more young people with self-confi­dence and so-called future skills with the help of the OGE, which will enable them to have a good professional life and actively shape our society," says Vanessa Masing, Managing Director of the education initiative.