Sto-Stiftung founded

Sto celebrates its 50th birthday – and founds the foundation Sto-Stiftung. It will primarily be supporting young people in craft and academic training. The company thereby recognizes its responsibility for society.

Education is important – for the young, but also for the future viability of society as a whole. This is not a new discovery, but in the light of the various international education studies, it has to be re-evaluated and established. At the same time, the state withdraws from many of its traditional spheres of action, the space for private commitment widens and almost requires companies to redefine themselves within the social context.

By means of the Sto-Stiftung, the Sto AG is now taking direct responsibility for the community and supports young traders during their apprenticeships and further training. Specifically, the foundation supports young persons in the plastering or painting trade who are socially disadvantaged or in need of financial support while at the same time serving as role models for others because of above-average performance. Students of architecture and civil engineering, too, can benefit from the foundation if they show exemplary commitment or great talent but lack the financial means for regular studies.

Since the foundation is focussed on the long term, it is possible to receive support from the apprenticeship to the doctorate. This continuity is an essential aspect of the foundation, as is the equal weight given to craft training and academic education.

The foundation can also promote projects from the field of construction – for example work on listed buildings or research projects aimed at new ecological and energy-saving building materials.

Equipped with annual funds of 100.000 €, the foundation begins its activities to support young people in training in its first year already. A six-person foundation council, made up of Dr Annette Schavan, Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Prof Peter Cheret, Stuttgart University, Konrad J. Richter, Technical College Hennef as well as Jochen Stotmeister, Chairman Sto AG, Uwe Koos, head of StoDesign International, and Till Stahlbusch, head of Press and Public Relations Sto AG, decides about the allocation of funds. In 2005, for the crafts section of the foundation, the support of the new training regulations of the German painting and varnishing trade is envisaged – by honouring the best performances of apprentices, schools and companies.

However, the foundation is not only concerned with the acquisition of subject-specific knowledge, but equally with strengthening the youngsters’ personality and social responsibility. Because the future needs both.