The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative Signs Agreements with SENA and CAMACOL to provide on-site training to low-income housing construction workers
Training and certification to enhance sustainable employment opportunities
New York, NY – July 11, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) announced today the signing of agreements with SENA and CAMACOL Bogotá and Cundinamarca (CAMACOL B&C) that establish the first on-site job training and certification program for construction workers in Colombia. CGSGI will develop a portable, on-site training facility in the Ciudad Verde (“Green City”) low-income housing development in Soacha, Cundinamarca, near Bogotá, the capital of Colombia to offer free training and certification for 5,000 construction workers. The on-site training program will utilize courses developed by SENA, the National Learning Service of Colombia, and trainees will be evaluated by CAMACOL B&C, the Colombian Chamber of Construction. Workers will receive certifications from SENA for the competencies in which they have been trained.
Colombia’s Administradoras de Riesgos Profesionales (ARPs — occupational risk management companies) have concluded that the nation’s construction sector is characterized by high levels of job turnover, employment instability and rates of accidents. CGSGI’s program aims to strengthen Colombia’s construction workforce, improve productivity, and reduce accident rates by offering specific training needed in the market including working at heights, on-site layout, cementing, structures, masonry and electric and hydraulic installations.
Ciudad Verde has been selected because it is one of Colombia’s largest low- income housing developments, stretching over 300 hectares, and designed to provide housing solutions for about 150,000 residents. There are nine builders participating in the construction of 42,000 units in Ciudad Verde, and construction workers from all builders will be eligible for enrollment in the training, which will be offered free of charge.
“We are pleased to be participating in this innovative training project. It will improve the quality of Colombia’s construction workforce and offer certifications that will provide better opportunities for sustainable and quality employment for thousands of workers,” said President Bill Clinton.
The training center in Ciudad Verde is expected to officially open on July 11, 2011. SENA will dedicate one course instructor for every thirty trainees, and CAMACOL B&C — as an extension of its Manos que Construyen (“Hands that Build”) program — will provide twelve evaluators to test trainees prior to SENA’s issuance of certifications.
About The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative
Established in June 2007 by President Bill Clinton and philanthropist Frank Giustra, the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI) is an innovative partnership among the William J. Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, local communities, and other NGOs that seeks to narrow the wealth gap in the developing world by empowering the poor through effective, results-oriented economic and social development projects. CGSGI focuses on alleviating poverty through market-driven development that creates jobs and increases incomes, and by strengthening factors that enable economic growth such as health and education. CGSGI creates value by forging cross-sectoral partnerships, designing innovative programs and bringing them to scale, aligning stakeholders, and mainstreaming best practices. The Initiative is committed to assuring transparent and efficient use of resources, and integrating rigorous monitoring and evaluation into its projects.
About SENA
SENA is a Public Establishment of National Order within the Ministry of Social Protection of the Republic of Colombia. SENA is responsible for investing in the social and technical development of Colombian workers, offering and delivering free comprehensive professional learning and the development of persons in productive activities that contribute to the social, economic and technological development of the Country.
About CAMACOL
The Colombian Chamber of Construction CAMACOL is a national non-profit association that brings together businesses and individuals involved in the construction sector value chain. One of its twelve regional members is CAMACOL Bogotá D.C. and Cundinamarca (CAMACOL B&C). One of CAMACOL B&C’s strategic objectives consists of involving affiliated companies in social responsibility projects for different groups of beneficiaries. To that effect, CAMACOL B&C designed and implemented a program dubbed Manos que Construyen (“Hands that Build”) with the objective of generating mechanisms and alliances that contribute to the quality of life of the workers, allowing their integration into the value chain, promoting both a sense of belonging in the sector and commitment with results, quality of products and process efficiencies. Manos que Construyen Project was established in 2006 by CAMACOL B&C.
About The William J. Clinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, founded by President Bill Clinton with the mission of strengthening the capacity of people throughout the world to address pressing global challenges. Working in collaboration with governments and other partners, the Foundation applies a unique problem-solving method to each of its seven initiatives, which work to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, fight climate change, and develop sustainable economic growth in Africa and Latin America. In the U.S., the Foundation works to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic and helps to expand economic opportunity by increasing access to low-cost financial services and empowering entrepreneurs. Through these efforts, the Foundation has helped 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS access lifesaving treatment, 40 cities fight global climate change, and nearly 4,400 schools promote healthier educational environments. Learn more at www.clintonfoundation.org.
