SAINT_GOBAIN_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

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An efficient and responsible Group The Group’s contribution to environmental, social and societal challenges to achieve a local and inclusive development

construction sector through a significant financial support ($1.35 million in seven years), but also through the provision of the time and expertise of its voluntary employees. Nearly a dozen sustainable renovation projects (including affordable homes and schools) have already been realized in four communities where the company has concentrations: Canton, Ohio; Worcester, Mass.; Schenectady, N.Y.; and Philadelphia, Pa. Through the partnership, the company has created what it calls a virtuous cycle. By providing underprivileged young people with the tools to create a brighter future, the company addresses several business and societal issues, including filling the gap for skilled workers in manufacturing and construction and creating an affinity for its building materials among program participants. These initiatives are even more needed in developing countries like South Africa or India. That way, the “Saint-Gobain Academy” aims to address the skills shortage in ceiling and partition installation in South Africa. This training program, launched in 2003 and co-funded by YouthBuild International since 2016, transfers part of the Saint-Gobain know-how to young people coming from disadvantaged communities, through a combination of theoretical classes and the realization of a local project of renovation. The Academy is currently the only training provider in Africa accredited to facilitate the National Certificate: Ceiling and Partition Installation NQF 3. The Group thereby supports the sustainability of its students’ employability while contributing to the dynamism of its industry. Finally, The General Delegation of India also invests significantly in the skills development of local communities. For instance, Saint-Gobain Glass has implemented the "Learn while Earn" program in collaboration with the Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF Bangalore), which aims to train young people of the 18-25 age range and delivers a diploma in manufacturing technology. To this day, over 200 young adults and their families have benefited from this innovative program. For its part, the Gypsum Activity imparts training in dry-lining in order to anticipate its rising need in skilled labor. Since 2013, the “Residential Skill Training program” has delivered a professionalizing education to 450 people in a precarious situation. Under the aegis of the “Skill Development Program”, 800 additional individuals have obtained a national certification.

Professional insertion of young people that are alienated „ from the workplace: the participation in programs such as “100 chances 100 emplois”. Detailed indicators of Saint-Gobain Development’s measures are shown in Chapter 5, Section 2.3. In the UnitedKingdom and in Ireland, the programs currently underway are numerous and tackle various issues. The Group’s teams are most often associated with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The "Entrepreneurship Foundation" subsidizes, trains, certifies and supports SME owners in order to boost growth and dynamism in the construction sector. The accredited business skills and practical training equips business owners with the tools to grow their business and consequently add to their workforce. Through this scheme Saint-Gobain addresses the shortage of tradespeople and skilled workers in the UK and in Ireland and stays true to its “Support for the Industry” commitment. The Delegation’s partnership with children’s charity Barnardo’s brings support to marginalized young people throughout the country by providing them with construction skills training in a purpose built academy, mentoring and access to professional opportunities. The program has also instigated the construction of intermediary homes for them to gain progressively their independence. The Delegation is also committed to raising the level of new entrants into the construction sector. Its strategic college partnerships deliver an extensive student enrichment and valorize the sector’s work. The programme embeds innovation and new product knowledge into the college curriculum, ensuring that the students receive industry led and fit for purpose training. This way, Saint-Gobain works closely with schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland, in particular through a series of partnerships, known as Business Class, in conjunction with Business in the Community. In North America, Saint-Gobain has built a partnership with the non-profit YouthBuild USA that feeds a double ambition: providing former out-of-school young adults with the opportunity to learn green building skills and participate in sustainable renovation projects while earning their high school equivalences. This way, the Group has been contributing since 2011 to the integration and sensitization of young people to the

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