• Supporting Community Development

Supporting Community Development

Saint-Gobain is a multiregional organization serving local markets. As such, it invests in both fast-growing regions and mature countries. These investments contribute to job creation and local economic development. In certain regions, the Group takes direct measures to improve and develop skills. In India, besides creating new direct jobs through investments, the Group creates several upstream and downstream indirect jobs. Besides, some of the Group’s businesses are investing in skill development. For example, the Glass business has implemented a Learn while Earn (LWE) program, in collaboration with NTTF, Bangalore. The participants, who are mostly from areas surrounding the site and are often disadvantaged, receive a diploma in manufacturing technology at the end of the programme. A Vocational Training Centre at a manufacturing site of the Glass Business is accredited to DGET and imparts training on material handling operations, dispatch operations, warehouse operations and glass handling. The Glass Business also supports initiatives that impacts knowledge and skills to enhance customer performance through Glass Academy and events for architect students who are committed to the future of habitat.  The Gypsum Business is involved in imparting training in dry-lining skills and this has recently been recognized as a skill under the Government of India’s Skill Development Initiative.