Laurent Pejoux, director of Fondation d'entreprise Hermes, said there is a drive to pass on knowledge to preserve the planet.

He noted that the Foundation's Manuterra program is dedicated to young people and runs alongside another program named Manufacto.

Climate change makes us take responsibility, he said, and Manuterra is a response to this in order for the generation of tomorrow to protect the environment.

The project also works in partnership with the Besan?on Board of Education in eastern France, the Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France, which is a national apprenticeship scheme, and the Saline Royale d'Arc-et-Senans, a UNESCO heritage site.

The program will extend to other boards of education in France from September this year.