APC 2012 Annual Report Download - page 89

2012 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 87
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZEN
Launch of a collaborative project
The MiCST project consists of designing and manufacturing
an innovative solar plant using sunlight to heat a thermal energy
supply powering a thermodynamic machine coupled with a 10-kW
alternator.
The associated offer, named Microsol, will be designed to supply
off-grid areas. MiCST is aimed in particular at developing countries
with strong sunlight. Simple to install and maintain, it can be easily
adopted by local populations. A major technical and technological
challenge, it will take high-strength, low-cost and eco-design criteria
into consideration.
The project extends over 42months and coordinates the expertise
of 12industrial and research partners. It is supported by the French
Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).
Training (People)
Approach
The key challenge of training in the electrical sector is to provide
those at the “base of the pyramid” with the knowledge and skills to
be able to carry out the task given to them in a safe and responsible
way, as well as providing their families with the means for suitable
subsistence.
It will also give them the ability, should they wish, to sell and maintain
energy access offers and to create their own small business in time.
Furthermore they are a vital and indispensable element for all
responsible and sustainable rural electrifi cation policies.
Schneider Electric’s strategy for the training of disadvantaged
groups at the Base of the Pyramid includes three key priorities:
•basic training that is relatively short, free and accessible to a large
number of people; full-time or evening and weekend courses to
be able to better adapt to the local situation;
•training leading to qualifi cations in partnership with local Ministries
of Education, included within the bilateral guidelines;
•training for trainers to support effective and quality roll-out of
training down the line, accompanied by fi nancing for investments
in materials.
These actions are funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation and
are always implemented in partnership with local players and/or
national or international organizations (NGOs, governments, etc.).
They systematically work with the local subsidiary of Schneider
Electric.
Designed and implemented by Schneider Electric, a range of
educational materials dedicated to the people at the Base of the
Pyramid, called “BipBop Education”, enhances the effectiveness of
these different types of training.
Action plans
Based on the rationalization and optimization efforts of previous
years, in2012 Schneider Electric was able to extend its major training
projects on a larger scale, achieving the target of 10,000people
trained during the year.
At the end of2012, there are 21projects in 16countries bringing
hope of a decent life for thousands of young people.
The “BipBop Education” range of teaching materials for people at
the Base of the Pyramid was also launched in2012. To enhance
the acceptability and effectiveness, these teaching materials are all
accompanied by courses and tutorials that enable teachers to be
immediately operational.
During this year, the following activities were continued:
•initiatives for direct donations of materials;
•support of micro-enterprise creation by young adults coming
from partnership training centers (150 in India in2012);
•efforts towards transnational expansion.
In 2013, new projects in Bangladesh, Mexic o, Ethiopia and by
expansion in Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia and Kenya will emerge.
Seeking global agreements will be the priority for 2013. These
agreements may link Schneider Electric to international companies,
state players and/or NGOs with broad geographical coverage,
with the express condition of sharing values and a shared desire to
provide people at the Base of the Pyramid with a way out of poverty
through professional training programs.
5.2 The Schneider Electric Foundation
Approach
Created in 1998 under the aegis of Fondation de France, the
Schneider Electric Foundation is involved in three main programs:
•training and employment opportunities for young adults from the
Base of the Pyramid, trained primarily in the electrical professions;
•support for emergency and post-emergency relief efforts after
natural disasters;
•raising sustainable development awareness through innovative
projects.
The Schneider Electric Foundation focuses on the involvement of
company employees in all the actions it implements. It carries out
its work through a network of 130employee volunteers, known as
delegates. These volunteers, covering 75countries, are responsible
for identifying local partnerships, presenting them to employees in
their units, and to the Foundation and tracking projects once they
are launched. Each project proposed is subject to a review process
based on administrative and fi nancial data by the Schneider Electric
Foundation and by Fondation de France before funds are released.
With an annual budget of EUR4million, the Foundation works to
support its partnerships through Schneider Electric entities in which
employees are also involved. A total of more than EUR10.5million
have been invested in this way to benefi t local communities (see
pages107-108 ).