Life has not always been kind to Diba Boru. His parents died when he was five. Separated from his siblings, he was raised in an orphanage in one of Kenya’s poorest regions. Diba was bright and tough, however. His high school grades were in the top four percent countrywide, but he simply couldn't afford higher education.

Inspired by the Swiss vocational training system and developed for the market needs in Kenya, the Hilti Foundation, together with Swisscontact and local Kenyan experts, launched PropelA, a dual education system for the electrical and plumbing trades. Focusing on underprivileged young adults and driven by more than 40 local leading firms, we provide theoretical and practical education for the skills required in the industry.

Our ambition to contribute to a better society is stronger than ever, a dynamic force that continues to gain momentum. The great work of our more than 33,000 Hilti team members and the commitment of our customers and partners enables us to invest in large-scale initiatives globally.

A game-changing approach of decentralized vocational education of nurses and midwifes, implemented by SolidarMed and funded by the Hilti Foundation, has proven effective in Zambia. Now, the Ministry of Health has decided to make it a national education standard to be implemented nationwide.

Economic Empowerment is about enabling people in need to become economically independent so they can lead self-determined lives. Despite economic growth in Eastern Africa, poverty rates remain very high, with rural populations and the younger generation in major cities particularly affected. Our work in this focus area is based on two initiatives: enterprise development and vocational training.