Spotlighting the Youth: Saint-Gobain Africa's Youth Development Initiatives

Since its inception in 2016, the Saint-Gobain YouthBuild Academy has been a ray of light for young South Africans from underprivileged backgrounds. Initially conceived to address the skills shortage in the construction sector, this academy has evolved into a comprehensive training ground. It not only imparts technical skills but also emphasizes life skills and entrepreneurship. 

Over the past eight years, the academy has equipped 350 individuals with an industry-recognized NQF Level 3 certificate in Ceiling and Partitioning installation

The Graduate Program emphasises our intentions of nurturing leadership talent across Africa. Designed to offer graduates a comprehensive view of the business, the program includes mentorship, business rotations, and exposure to impactful projects. This holistic approach ensures that participants develop a broad range of skills and experiences, preparing them for diverse career paths within our organisation.
These experiences not only broaden perspectives but also enrich the talent pool, fostering growth and agility.
 

Five years ago we said yes to South Africa’s private sector-led Youth Empowerment Service (YES) initiative. We’ve never looked back.

Our YES programme retention rate is nearly 33.3% – a third – of the more than 185 YES candidates we have welcomed to Saint-Gobain offices and plants in South Africa. This is one of the highest YES programme retention rates in South Africa. 

More than 55 of these YES candidates have become part of the Saint-Gobain South Africa family, through permanent positions or fixed-term contract roles. 

This is great news for South Africa, which has battled a soaring youth unemployment crisis for more than a decade. The programme seeks to empower businesses to create jobs for unemployed youth. In the first quarter of 2024, Statistics South Africa reported youth unemployment had hit a record 45.5%.

The initiative stands tall among the foundational projects shaping Saint-Gobain’s Grow & Impact strategy, which commits us to attractive value creation for shareholders.Hear from some of our YES candidates

"Being employed at Saint-Gobain as an architectural technologist has been tremendously fulfilling. Every day, there are new challenges to overcome and opportunities to advance one’s technical and creative abilities. It feels exciting and fulfilling knowing that our work helps to create more sustainable and efficient buildings. All in all, I am having an amazing experience working at Saint-Gobain."

"My position at Saint-Gobain is extremely important because I make sure that our clients receive their items on time. Participating in the YES programme has enabled me to develop personally and achieve self-assurance at work."

"I report directly to the head of control for sub-Saharan Africa, Maxime Peyroulou who is a great line manager. The nature of my role entails accurate and timely financial reporting, developing internal tools, creating ad-hoc reports, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and assisting with finance projects and administrative tasks. Coming into this role with a BCom Accounting degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, the experience has been nothing short of amazing, as I have an overall view of how my theoretical knowledge is applied practically in my day-to-day tasks."

"It is such a privilege to be part of a transformational company like Saint-Gobain, which cares about the future of the youth. Being part of the YES programme within Saint-Gobain has granted me an opportunity to gain work experience, sharpen my skills and meet new people. Its treasury department serves as the guardian of liquidity, ensuring that the company has enough cash on hand to meet its obligations while maximising returns. This is essential to the long-term success and sustainability of our company. As a treasury administrator, I assist the team in executing daily treasury operations, maintaining banking relationships, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations."

"Working as a YES information technology (IT) administration intern at Saint-Gobain is quite an experience! You get to dive into the world of IT administration within a reputable company like Saint-Gobain, which is known for its innovation and commitment to excellence. As an intern, you’re likely to encounter tasks and situations that are beyond your current skill level – and that’s where the real growth happens, as you’re constantly pushed to expand your knowledge and skills."
 

"It feels incredible being a YES candidate at Saint-Gobain and being part of a team that values innovation and quality. In my role as quality analyst, I contribute to ensuring that our products meet the highest standards, which is very important for both my department and the overall success of the business. The supportive and collaborative environment here allows me to learn as much as I can and grow professionally."

"I think of the courage and resilience of the youth of 1976 – their legacy is a powerful reminder of the strength within me to drive change and shape the future of my career as a retail data analyst. It is an honour to be part of the YES employee programme at Saint-Gobain, and to work with the national retail management team to ensure timely, accurate and meaningful sales reporting, for better business decision-making. (The 1976 Soweto Uprising was a pivotal event in the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Thousands of black students protested the government’s imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools, leading to violent clashes with police that sparked widespread unrest and international condemnation of the apartheid regime.)"

"It feels awesome and overwhelming to be a YES candidate. I am learning a lot of things within my field of study, which is operations management. I am enjoying my role. It has its challenges but It’s fulfilling knowing that when the day ends, I have tackled all the tasks that I am assigned to do. Through the YES programme, my career is taking shape … I have found my purpose. "

"I have always loved the construction sector and aspired to be a woman in construction. I come from a rural area in the North West, and Saint-Gobain, together with the YES programme, has granted me the privilege to give hope to young unemployed South Africans. This role has tasked me with coordinating demands across all internal departments, which in turn means effective customer service. A corporate environment such as ours motivates team-member relations and a diverse company culture that I very much enjoy."
 

"Working for Saint-Gobain under the YES programme has been a very rewarding experience. I’ve gotten the opportunity to contribute to our company’s development and success by planning successful training sessions and evaluating data to improve our strategy. The supportive and collaborative atmosphere at Saint-Gobain, together with the growth possibilities given by the YES programme, has greatly aided my professional development and made this journey really rewarding."

Whether through technical training at the YouthBuild Academy, leadership development via the Graduate Program, or career opportunities through Y.E.S., these programs not only enhance skills but also foster a spirit of innovation and responsibility among young Africans. So, join us in celebrating our young talent!