Saint-Gobain launches Entrepreneurship Foundation 2017

Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, the leader in the construction materials market, launches the third edition of its Entrepreneurship Foundation, in partnership with the IOEE, CITB and Supply Chain Sustainability School.

The Entrepreneurship Foundation 2017 has been designed in partnership with IOEE and CITB specifically for small businesses, developing vital skills such as marketing, leadership and innovation enabling the business owner to develop and grow their business.  The programme is delivered through a series of short online modules supported by online tutors and mentors as well as the opportunity to attend a residential session whereby business owners will be able to reflect upon their learning undertaken to date and share experiences with fellow business owners.   

An introduction to sustainable building systems, delivered by the Supply Chain Sustainability School and Saint-Gobain’s expert technical teams is also incorporated to the programme providing a holistic development programme. Business owners will graduate from the programme with a nationally recognised Professional Diploma and more importantly a stronger more resilient business equipped to survive and thrive in uncertain economic times.

Saint-Gobain is present in 67 countries and employs over 170,000 people worldwide, including over 17,000 in the UK & Ireland. Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions, which can be found in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They provide comfort, performance and safety while addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change.

Commenting on the initiative, Mike Chaldecott, General Delegate for Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland, said: “The Entrepreneurship Foundation is the manifestation of our commitment to “support the industry”, expressed in our CSR strategy.

“We believe that it is our role to actively promote the development of businesses, so that they can attract talent and meet the demands of a developing, dynamic and innovative construction industry. It’s great to be working with some great organisations, such as CITB and IOEE to deliver the Foundation – we anticipate this will make a real difference to the companies signed up to the Foundation this year.”

Having started in 2015 with the aim of supporting over 200 growing businesses by 2020, the Entrepreneurship Foundation represents a long-term commitment from Saint-Gobain to support small businesses in the UK and Ireland and builds on the work the company has done for many years in providing skills and advice to the trade in order to promote a sustainable built environment.

IOEE’s Chief Executive, Sarah Trouten, said:

“I am delighted to be working alongside Saint Gobain to provide this unique development opportunity for businesses within the construction industry. The programme addresses the key challenges small businesses face within the construction industry which will enable business owners to build strong, sustainable businesses and contribute to the UK economic infrastructure.”

To find out more about the Entrepreneurship Foundation, click here.

Saint-Gobain in the UK and Ireland includes some of the best-known and respected companies in the construction sector including: British Gypsum, Jewson, Graham, Weber, Isover, Celotex, Glassolutions, Saint-Gobain PAM, and Ecophon.

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