Recruiting agency Addeco supports efforts to tackle youth unemployment, joining forces with Nestle's Alliance for Youth initiatives.
In a significant move to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment, Nestlé, in collaboration with various global partners, launched the Nestlé Alliance for Youth, also known as the Global Alliance for YOUth, in June 2014. The initiative, convened in Lisbon, brought together political leaders such as José Manuel Barroso (President of the European Commission), Pedro Passos Coelho (Prime Minister of Portugal), and Paulo Portas (Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal), among others[1].
The program's primary focus is to equip young people aged 18 to 30 with the skills necessary to thrive professionally and secure employment opportunities. Over the past decade, the Alliance has expanded globally, creating more than 40 million professional development opportunities, including first jobs, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurial support for young people[1][4][5].
The Alliance's mission includes creating development opportunities for youth, supporting vulnerable and marginalized groups, empowering young innovators, and promoting essential digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow[1]. One of the key contributors to this initiative is the Adecco Group, an international company member that leverages its expertise in human resources and workforce solutions to provide job opportunities, training, and mentorship to young people. This directly tackles youth unemployment by connecting youth with the labor market and offering support to improve their employability and career readiness[1].
The Nestlé Alliance for Youth is a collaboration between the public and private sectors, with industry leaders such as Google, Facebook, Axa, Twitter, and Salesforce also signing up to the European Alliance for Apprenticeships during the event[1]. Notably, the global leader in HR solutions, referred to as "our group," has committed to the Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program, pledging to utilize its labor market expertise to help young people develop necessary skills[1].
The youth jobless rate across Europe stands at 23.5%, with Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal experiencing rates of 56.9%, 53.5%, 43.3%, and 36.1%, respectively[1]. In light of these statistics, Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO of our group, stated that young people are unlikely to succeed without that all-important first job and work experience[1]. As a response, our group has committed to providing educational material, training, job experience, and career guidance within the Alliance for YOUth, aiming to turn a 'lost generation' into a loved generation[1].
Together, the collaborative efforts of the Global Alliance for YOUth, including those by the Adecco Group, are making sustained progress in reducing youth unemployment and helping young people transition successfully into the workforce worldwide[1]. The Alliance for YOUth program is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in addressing pressing global challenges.
[1] Data and information sourced from Eurostat, Nestlé Alliance for YOUth, and Adecco Group. [4] "Nestlé Alliance for YOUth: A Business Coalition to Address Youth Unemployment." Nestlé. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://www.nestle.com/creating-shared-value/nestle-alliance-for-youth [5] "Adecco Group Joins Nestlé Alliance for YOUth to Boost Youth Employment." Adecco Group. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://www.adeccogroup.com/press/adecco-group-joins-nestle-alliance-for-youth-to-boost-youth-employment/
- The Nestlé Alliance for Youth, a global initiative, has created over 40 million professional development opportunities across industries, including finance, entrepreneurship, and small-business.
- The Adecco Group, an expert in human resources, contributes to the Alliance by offering job opportunities, training, and mentorship, focusing on career development and skills training for young people.
- In an effort to empower young innovators and promote essential digital skills, the Alliance for YOUth also partners with tech giants like Google, Facebook, and fintech companies to address the challenges of the banking-and-insurance industry.
- Politicians such as José Manuel Barroso, Pedro Passos Coelho, and Paulo Portas have backed the Alliance, recognizing the importance of education-and-self-development and personal-growth in addressing the issue of youth unemployment.
- The Alliance recognizes the significant impact of war-and-conflicts on youth employment and has pledged to support vulnerable and marginalized groups, helping them secure employment opportunities and find stability.
- The collaboration between the private sector and policy-and-legislation is crucial in tackling youth unemployment, as shown by the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, which also focuses on career-development and job-search.
- General-news outlets have reported a decrease in youth unemployment rates across Europe as a result of the Alliance for YOUth program and similar public-private partnerships.
- In countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, where the youth jobless rate remains high, the Alliance is a beacon of hope, offering solutions for job-search, workforce integration, and policy changes to combat the issue.
- Skills-training and professional development opportunities offered by the Alliance can help young people overcome barriers to employment and contribute to their overall personal and career growth.
- As more organizations join the Nestlé Alliance for Youth and similar programs, there is hope that a 'lost generation' may yet be transformed into a 'loved generation', capable of thriving professionally and making a positive impact on the world.
