Corporate Social Responsibility

Paramount Group recognises and takes very seriously its responsibility to the growth of the defence and aerospace industries, and to the development of the young people in whose hands the future of Africa’s continual technological advancement lies.

In pursuit of that goal visitors to Paramount’s stand at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Exhibition 2010 were invited to decorate Paramount’s Maverick internal security vehicle with multi-coloured handprints.  For every handprint placed on the vehicle, Paramount donated ZAR 250 to South Africa’s Youth Development Programme (YDP) which promotes and facilitates career opportunities and training within the aerospace and defence sector, raising a total donation of ZAR 130, 250.

An additional donation of ZAR 50, 000 was made to the Department of Defence’s Military Skills Development System (MSDS), a programme which promotes career opportunities within South Africa’s military forces.  The donation was made in person by Paramount founder and Executive Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz during a visit to the Alta Du Toit School for children with learning difficulties.

Welcoming the Paramount Group donation Janine Fredericks, chairperson of the YDP said: “It was with extreme gratitude that we accepted the generous donation from Paramount.  This donation helps the programme to continue with its important work to boost interest in the industry among young people and support their burgeoning career paths.  Not only do we at the programme appreciate Paramount’s generosity, but more importantly, so will the young minds that will benefit from it.”

Ivor Ichikowitz added: “We are thrilled to be involved with leading programmes like the YDP and the MSDS, and embrace our responsibility for the future of Africa’s technological advancement.  If its young engineers are to fully grasp the opportunity they have to enter Africa’s most exciting and innovative industry, they are going to continue to need our help.