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GLOBAL: Five New Salesian Projects Start with Funding from Schneider Electric Foundation

(MissionNewswire) Thanks to a collaboration between the Salesian Institute in Rome, Italy and Schneider Electric Foundation, five international projects run by Salesian technical and professional schools aimed at sustainable human and social development will be funded with a total donation of 2 million euro. Schneider Electric Foundation is the charitable arm of Schneider Electric, a European multinational corporation that specializes in electricity distribution, automation management and the production of installation components for energy management.

Collaboration between the Salesian programs and Schneider Electric was formed 16 years ago. The contract between the two organizations was initiated between CNOS-FAP (National Center of Salesian Works – Professional Training and Upgrading) and Schneider Electric. Father Luigi Enrico Peretti, the general director of CNOS-FAP noted that the collaboration is very strong because it is based on common principles and perspectives with the goal of training youth for the workforce.

“Schneider Electric is proud to work with the Salesian Congregation through training programs for local instructors and students from more disadvantaged contexts,” said Gilles Vermot Desroches, senior vice president of sustainability at Schneider Electric.

The goal of the new projects is to generate sustainable development by creating opportunities for social advancement for disadvantaged youth in the regions where the programs will take place. In the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a project will be started at the Ngagi Professional Training Center to teach students about solar energy. The project will also include work placement and the installation of solar panels to generate electricity for the whole structure.

In Pingull Kudal, India, funding from this project will update the equipment in the laboratory of the local Professional Training Center to offer students the opportunity to work in more modern facilities. In Haiti, a project will offer training courses for teachers, new equipment for laboratories, technical materials for students and a new system of electricity supply. In Maputo, Mozambique, funding will allow the purchase of new equipment and materials for students and an energy update program will be set up for teachers and students. The fifth project funded will take place in southern Italy and provide apprenticeship courses in the subjects of innovation 4.0, covering electricity, electronics and renewable energies.

“Collaborative partnerships between Salesian missionaries and corporations are essential to help us meet our mission to provide education and social development programs to poor youth around the globe,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesian missionaries provide technical and professional training for future electricians in many Salesian schools. The Schneider Electric partnership allows us to have up-to-date training materials and equipment available for our students along with professional training support in our classrooms.”

Through the Schneider Electrical Foundation more than 10,000 students have received electrician training in Salesian programs in India, Latin America and Europe since 2009. In addition to providing education, Salesian training programs help students connect to internships that allow them to apply lessons learned in the classroom to real-life work environments.

“Salesian programs educate poor youth who would otherwise have few opportunities for education and employment,” adds Fr. Hyde. “Having access to professionals in the field gives our students an advantage not only in the classroom but in the workforce as well.”

Salesian missionaries are also actively engaged in building hospitals, schools and youth centers as well as other community infrastructure in more than 130 countries around the globe. Schneider Electric has assisted in the implementation of many of these projects by providing both the equipment and professional support.

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Sources:

ANS – Italy – An Impressive Donation for Five Salesian Training Projects

Schneider Electrical Foundation