Nestlé to Tackle Youth Unemployment

In 2013, in response to the growing Youth Unemployment crisis in Europe, Nestlé committed to a Global Youth Initiative - Nestlé Needs Youth - to tackle the issues directly. The Youth Unemployment challenge is a double edged sword - young people cannot get jobs because they don't have work experience and they cannot get work experience if they can't get a job.

"The private sector is the biggest employer and we recognise that our contribution is essential to help young people to successfully join the labour market," said Shawna Kidd, Nestlé's corporate communications and consumer relations manager.

"At Nestlé, we understand that the government cannot solve this issue on its own and as such we are committed to playing an active role in society, partnering with the government and other relevant organisations to tackle this issue in an impactful way", Kidd added.

"Nestlé Needs Youth" is a three-year programme through which we support young people in their transition from education to work. Through this programme we will contribute to the reduction in the youth skills and employability gap, in addition to reinforcing young people's social integration. We see this as a win-win situation as through this medium we will identify and attract talent at an early stage of their career - strengthening our talent pipeline", said Nestlé's human resources manager, Keisha Palmer Burke.

On May 20, Nestle Jamaica will launch the "Nestlé Needs Youth" initiative through a career fair to be held at the assembly hall, University of the West Indies, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Through Nestlé Needs Youth, from 2016 - 2018, Nestlé Jamaica commits to:

• Recruit at least 10 young people 18-29 years to join regular workforce over the next three years.

• Nestle will offer no less than 50 internships and trainee/ambassador positions.

• Reach at least 1500 youths through a "readiness for work" programme including practical career coaching workshops.

• Engage with suppliers and partners to build an "Alliance for Youth" to create more opportunities.