Nestle committed to youth development
Published:Tuesday | May 24, 2016 | 12:00 AM
In response to the growing youth unemployment crisis in Europe, Nestle has committed to a Global Youth Initiative - Nestle Needs YOUth - to tackle the issue directly. Nestle Jamaica has also committed to the initiative and aims to develop young talent here in Jamaica.
At the recent launch and career fair held on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona,
The objectives include equipping young people with the tools and training they need to successfully transition from education to the world of work and harnessing the dynamism of youth, empowering them so they can look with confidence to a brighter future.
Students will engage in activities related to preparing and participating in live interviews for the chance to intern, complete summer jobs and participate in monthly career coaching workshops with Nestle beginning as early as June 2016.
"In the current context, we believe we can and have to do more to empower and help our youth to be relevant and competitive in today's marketplace job creation can foster economic development and as a leader in the food industry, we are here to accelerate our contribution to young people as they do deserve better career opportunities," said Jurg Blaser, Nestle Jamaica's country manager.
Floyd Green, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information in lauding the initiative said the programme highlighted the many issues facing young people in Jamaica.
"The reality is that the high level of unemployment among young people in Jamaica perpetuates the cycle of social problems that force many to resort to illegal activities for sustenance. This is why the Nestle Needs Youth Initiative is important to us. I want to commend Nestle Jamaica on attempting to set a trend in youth participation among their fellow corporate counterparts," Green said.
Through Nestle Needs YOUth, from 2016-2018, Nestle Jamaica commits to recruiting at least 10 young people 18-29 years to join their regular workforce over the next three years, offering no less than 50 internships and trainee - ambassador positions.
Launched in 2013, the Nestle Needs YOUth global initiative has already created close to 12,000 opportunities for young people including 10,700 jobs and 5,800 apprenticeships.