Name: Robert Thomas

Company: Tarmac

Division: Materials Yorkshire

Job title/role: General Management Graduate

“I would encourage anyone with the time to get involved!”

I got involved with Solutions for the Planet because of their drive to make topics surrounding STEM and sustainability more accessible for young people. I wanted to help young people be better informed and prepared for the challenges they are sure to face.

My involvement has been very rewarding and I feel I have become more comfortable around young people due to the time I have spent in schools with the programme.

The excitement and energy of the children coming up with out-there ideas to solve the issues they were presented with has been the best part for me. I haven’t had much experience working with young people before this so was a little nervous at the start but I quickly became more comfortable through support from both Solutions for the Planet and school staff.

Through the process, I have learnt that young people have so much to give and possess fantastic ideas that, with some honing, can become brilliant concepts.

In terms of changes in my day-to-day job, I have become more patient with my colleagues and have taken more care in making sure that I fully take in their views and ideas. 

For anyone considering taking part, I would say the programme is massively beneficial to both the children and the mentors and I would encourage anyone with the time to get involved!