From Training to Transformation: Saint Gobain Interior Solution’s Role in Building Better Communities

To create a better future, we must take a holistic approach to construction – one that integrates innovative design with comprehensive skills development. At Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, we believe that to Build Better communities, we first need to equip the workforce with the tools and knowledge required for success. This commitment to skills enhancement is at the core of our Building Better initiative.

Through purpose-built training facilities and a range of dedicated resources across our British Gypsum and Isover brands, Building Better provides those just starting out in their careers and experienced professionals with the training and support they need to excel in their roles and transform the construction industry.

Future Place Training Academy

Not everyone’s training journey in the industry is the same, and many young people lack the foundation necessary for seamless development. To address this, in partnership with Barnardo’s we supported the establishment of the Future Place Academy in Lewisham to support young and disadvantaged individuals in East London.

The academy’s mission is to both provide practical construction skills to those just starting out and help connect them with employers who can support their career growth. By offering this vital link to employment, we’re able to open doors for young people who might otherwise struggle to find their footing in the industry, building a brighter future for both them and the communities they serve.

YouthBuild UK

Our commitment to supporting young people is not only limited to those living in Lewisham. In partnership with YouthBuild, a registered charity operating in the UK, USA, and South Africa, we’re helping tackle youth unemployment while closing the construction industry’s skills gap.

YouthBuild doesn’t just equip young people with practical skills - it helps foster a sense of purpose and belonging in their communities. One inspiring example is Brhane’s journey. Arriving in the UK at just 14 years old as an unaccompanied asylum seeker, he worked tirelessly to develop his skills and was ultimately named YouthBuild UK’s Young Builder of the Year in 2023.

Stories like Brhane’s are what make YouthBuild a key part of our Building Better mission - helping to build not only skillsets but mindsets as well.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a common entry point into the construction industry, combining on-the-job training with the opportunity to earn a wage. This hands-on approach ensures that trainees gain the vital skills necessary for their roles whilse contributing to the workforce from day one.

In 2017, the UK government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy, designed to support businesses in growing their talent pipeline. Under this initiative, employers who pay a wage bill of over £3 million a year contribute 0.5% of their payroll to fund apprenticeship programmes. This system means that employers are essentially investing in the future of the industry, whilse providing trainees with invaluable learning experiences.

At Saint-Gobain, we contribute over £1.2 million annually to the Apprenticeship Levy, with up to 25% of that funding available to support our customers and suppliers in developing their employees. Contributing to the Apprenticeship Levy is just one way we’re helping to push the workforce towards Building Better across the UK and Ireland.

Why we’re focussed on Building Better

We believe that construction should be constructive, and innovation in construction is a key component to making life better for people, and for the planet. Whether it’s better architecture and design, better opportunities, skills and workmanship, or a more sustainable future, we all play a part.

British Gypsum and Isover are building on our wealth of knowledge in insulation and drylining to create a new space to inspire smarter and more sustainable construction.

Building Better is our central platform designed to keep you up to speed on the latest developments in the industry – from podcasts and videos through to industry updates and more about the sustainability initiatives of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, British Gypsum and Isover.