Lafarge Africa Plc, in collaboration with Truss Empowerment Foundation, organised a Female Tilers & Block Making Training Programme for women from low-income communities in Lagos.
This, it said, Was in celebration of its 2022 Sustainability Week, The two-week intensive vocational training programme which was held in Lagos, is in line with the strategic objective of Lafarge Africa’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to empower, educate and increase gender equality in a male dominated sector.
The goal of the training programme was to train a minimum of 25 women, sourced from low-income communities in Makoko, Lagos on the practical use of Lafarge’s Supafix products in tiling of walls and floors, as well as on how to mould blocks.
During the comprehensive training, expert trainers and professionals took the participants through theoretical and practical aspects of tiling and impacted sufficient skills to get them started in the industry.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, head, Sustainable Development and Corporate Brand, Lafarge Africa, Titilope Oguntuga, noted that, the initiative was first of its kind and part of the company’s efforts to address the gender imbalance in the industry and further drive women entrepreneurship and development in the country.
“In a sector in which women can sometimes be under-represented, taking these steps is critical. We are making significant strides in building a more sustainable future for all.
the narrative and fighting the myth that construction work is more appropriate for men, so that young women can aspire for a career in the industry,” she explained.
Also speaking at the event, director Scale, Lead Trainer, Alh. S.Q Folarin, commended Lafarge Africa for promoting gender equality in a male dominated space also took time to praise the trainees for their willingness and determination to learn.
In the same vein, chairman, Lagos State Professional Tilers Association (LASPROTAN), Mr. Adediran Segun, introduced the Graduands to the doctrines of the association and charged them to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities offered by the association in order to succeed and move forward in their career.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow trainees, Omowunmi Alomore, appreciated the building solutions company for the opportunity to be part of the programme, saying, “we want to say a very big thank you to Lafarge Africa for their full support to enable women to do what men have been doing for ages, building houses and tiling houses.Further to the celebration of the 2022 sustainability week with the theme ‘Accelerating Collaboration for Sustained Impact’, the building solutions company also launched a carbon compensation programme that will enable all employees of the company to contribute to positive environmental footprints.
According to Titilope Oguntuga, the initiative is targeted towards every employee who makes an official flight, both local and international in the pilot phase while those who make personal flight in the advanced phase will also be encouraged to make disclosures that will enable them to contribute to compensating the planet.
