Europe’s leading rail supply companies together with UNIFE launched the Hop On For The Planet campaign to put Europe’s tech and green future on the fast track encouraging the young people to consider a rail career.
The railway supply industry is convinced that rail is the way to sustainable transport, innovative jobs and a lifetime of opportunity.
According to a survey launched on October 21, the majority of the Gen Z, aged 16 to 25, are willing to hop on to greener transport for our planet and believes zero-emission technology is the future of innovation for rail transport, while urges public authorities to invest in sustainable rail transport.
The survey also highlights that almost half of Gen Z wants to hop on to careers and studies for our planet and female Gen Z currently in STEM careers value sustainable employers even more than males.
“The event demonstrated our industry’s continued reimagining of rail. We are excited to be part of the Hop On campaign as it is another opportunity, after the Blueprint for Skills, to engage with young and experienced professionals, give them access to incredible innovation and provide paths to tremendous career opportunities. Together, I’m confident we can get the European Green Deal on the fast-track,” said Philippe Citroën, the Director General of UNIFE.
The independent survey, conducted by the international think tank ThinkYoung also includes country-specific results for Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland and The Netherlands. The survey is supported by the Hop On For The Planet campaign, an initiative from the European rail supply industry to get Europe’s green future on the fast-track with rail.
“The campaign clearly demonstrates that rail is the way forward for sustainable transport infrastructure, innovative jobs and a lifetime of opportunity – especially amongst European Gen Z who the survey revealed have much to learn about our industry,” Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom CEO and Chairman of UNIFE, said.
The initiative is focused on recruiting and retaining the next generation of skilled workers, extending even beyond GenZ to more experienced workers. Yet the survey remains a unique opportunity to hear directly from Gen Z specifically, crafting better industrial and public policy for their needs.
“Hop On For The Planet is a welcome initiative to attract skilled Europeans to the rail supply industry. To remain world leaders in this field, we will need to show to a new generation of innovators how they could have a role in Europe’s twin transition”, commented Dominique Riquet, MEP and Vice-Chair Renew Europe, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN).
The survey was presented on October 21 at the all-digital “Hop On” campaign launch with representatives from Gen Z, DG GROW, the European Parliament and leading rail supply companies.
“Digitalisation and automation are rapidly changing skills needs in the rail ecosystem. The forthcoming Blueprint for sectoral co-operation on skills has potential to improve availability of skilled staff for rail”, said Barbara Bonvissuto, Head of Unit DG GROW, European Commission.
The campaign is supported by Alstom, Bombardier, CAF, Faively Transport, Hitachi Rail, Knorr Bremse, Lucchini RS, Siemens Mobility, Strukton Rail and UNIFE.
The survey and campaign both support the EU’s initiative to make 2021 the European Year of Rail, which celebrates rail as the most sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport.
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