Lafarge Equips Women with Construction Skills to Enhance Livelihoods
By Ekanem ASUQUO
Lafarge Africa Plc has launched a new skills acquisition programme aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the construction sector and enhancing their economic independence. The BuildHer Female Tilers and Block Laying Training Programme, delivered in partnership with Girls Power Initiative, GPI, in Calabar, is providing beneficiaries with practical skills to enable them compete favourably in the industry.
The one month capacity building programme commenced with an induction on September 25, 2025. Twenty young women selected from ten host communities are undergoing both theoretical and practical training in wall and floor tiling, block laying, entrepreneurship, workplace safety, employability and financial literacy.
Speaking at the launch, the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Edema Irom, commended Lafarge Africa for creating pathways that allow women access to sustainable income earning opportunities in a sector previously dominated by men. She described the initiative as timely and empowering, noting that it would equip participants with skills that could transform their lives and households.
Also addressing the trainees, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Odum Ukam Esq, encouraged them to embrace the programme with commitment, courage and discipline. He underscored that professional competence is not gender based and urged the women to excel and serve as role models for others.
Representing the Plant Manager, Mr Milan Hilad, a Lafarge official, Mr Inyang Bassey, reiterated the company’s resolve to invest in capacity building for residents of host communities. He said the BuildHer programme aligns with Lafarge Africa’s goal of promoting inclusive growth, empowerment and community development.
Participants are also being trained in the application of Lafarge Supafix for tiling and Superset for block laying. Facilitators from GPI emphasised that discipline, punctuality, safety consciousness and teamwork remain core expectations throughout the programme.
The training initiative is part of Lafarge Africa’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and decent work and economic growth.
