CFA Lab: a new generation of professionals

In a context of strong economic, regulatory and societal changes linked to the climate emergency, the construction sector needs qualified workers to carry out energy renovation projects, but is still struggling to recruit. Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France is supporting the construction industry by creating an ambitious program to train a new generation of professionals in key energy renovation trades.

Three schools have already been set up since the beginning of 2022, supported by three Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France companies: Asturienne, POINT.P and CEDEO.

• The Asturienne École du toit roofing school launched its first two classes in January 2022, followed by six more in October. Its courses include a module on energy issues and roofing insulation solutions and provide a professional zinc roofer qualification.
• The POINT.P École des bâtisseurs building school, which opened in October 2022, is currently training its first class of apprentices. Its educational program includes 70 hours of teaching on sustainable construction (new construction systems, low-carbon products, etc.).
• CEDEO’s 19°C - l’école du génie climatique climate engineering school will open its doors in January 2023 with the ambition of training 1,500 apprentices by 2026. The training provided will also include a 70-hour module dedicated to the energy transition.

Today, Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France is charting a new course by launching the CFA Lab, which will accelerate the development of these three training programs in three key energy transition sectors (roofing, masonry and HVAC).

The mission of this internal and cross-functional structure is to promote the building trades, but also to put training centers, young apprentices and companies in contact with each other to create a new generation of professionals.

To do this, the CFA Lab, which already has six employees within Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France, manages partnerships with the CFAs, recruits young people and puts companies (identified by the brands) in touch with future apprentices. It also assists the brands in the development of training programs.

The aim is to have 24 classrooms by the beginning of 2024 and to train 3,000 young men and women by 2026. This scheme demonstrates Saint-Gobain Distribution Bâtiment France’s commitment to professionals, while acknowledging that today’s apprentices will be our brands’ customers of tomorrow.