The RATP Group Foundation scholarship winners sign mentor charters, run by Fondation Mines-Télécom

The students of Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis who won ‘Trajets d’Avenir’ scholarships in 2016 got to meet their mentors on the occasion of the signature of the mentor charters. The event took place on 10 January at RATP headquarters in the presence of Jean Agulhon, RATP Group HR Director and Julien Laurent, Deputy Secretary General of the RATP Group Foundation.

20 years of solidarity for the RATP Group Foundation

For more than 20 years, the RATP Group Foundation has striven to establish links with inhabitants in regions where the Group has its activities by supporting local projects which promote access to employment, education and culture.

Since the end of 2009, the ‘Trajets d’Avenir’ (Path to the Future) program for access to education, in partnership with major French and foreign academic and scientific institutions, has granted scholarships to talented students from modest backgrounds so that they can have access to long-term studies or excellent courses. This financial aid is supplemented by collective support or by the support of mentors in the shape of RATP Group executives who volunteer their services. In 2016/2017, the RATP Group Foundation also supported 15 scholars from Télécom schools and Cergy-Pontoise University, all under the wing of a RATP mentor.

Fondation Mines-Télécom and the RATP Group Foundation – partners since 2012

The two foundations have been partners of the ‘Trajets d’Avenir’ program since 2012. The agreement was renewed in June 2016 for another three years for an amount of €30,000 per year.

Thanks to this partnership, 10 freshmen at Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis have received financial aid and support in developing their career plan throughout their three years of education. These students from modest backgrounds need financial support to make a success of their studies in the right conditions. Members of RATP Group management support students who have been selected according to their ambitions and academic performance, acting as mentors to help them discover the world of business and engineering professions within the RATP.

The mentor charter signature ceremony ratifies the commitment between the mentors and the students in a spirit of positive collaboration and mutual trust.

‘’The ‘Trajets d’Avenir’ program provides our students with a unique opportunity to combine their studies with the discovery of the world of business, alongside RATP Group professionals who are committed to sharing their values and their in-depth experiences in the world of work. Thanks to this support and guidance throughout their studies, the students are better prepared to face the realities of business life and can develop their career plans in a more confident and calm way.’’ Véronique Deborde, Fondation Mines-Télécom Director.

‘’When I was a student, I was always looking for contacts within the corporate world. Nowadays, it’s up to me to allow students to benefit from my experience, via the mentor scheme. It’s important and rewarding for me to make a contribution. It gives me the chance to help others discover what the RATP is all about, demystify our activities and let them see the wealth and diversity of our professions.’’

Edgar Sée, Line 4 Automation Operation Director

‘’Very few people in my family work in large corporations. To be supported by a RATP Group mentor gives me the chance to have a contact in the business world, something which I don’t have within my family. On the other hand, at school, we have a lot of theory classes. It’s important for me to discover possible graduate professions, and the RATP mentor scheme will help me discover the world of business from the inside.’’

Paul-Elian Tabarant, freshman at Télécom Paris

‘The RATP Group Foundation has set itself the task of putting projects in motion and promoting equal opportunities. The entire RATP Group is very proud to be able to support highly deserving students with their further education. Group members take their mentor role very seriously and afterwards, everyone always says they have learnt a lot from this scheme – it’s a win-win situation. Public service projects and considering everyone’s needs are in the company’s DNA. ‘Trajets d’Avenir’ is an original translation, but it’s something that we live by.’’

Julien Laurent, Deputy Secretary General, RATP Group Foundation