Successful relaunch of YCI Romania
The Youth Career Initiative successfully relaunched its programme in Romania in October 2011. Three five-star hotels are participating in the training programme providing disadvantaged young people with life and work skills: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Athenee Palace Hilton and Radisson Blu Bucharest.
World Vision Romania has partnered with the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) to coordinate the programme locally. Their role includes the promotion and recruitment of suitable candidates from an array of local schools and community-based organisations. Other responsibilities include monitoring the progress of the students, providing extra training courses and tracking graduates post-training.
"YCI is a unique program that combines elements of practical theory with real life experience, which are both crucial in this competitive work environment. The program provides capable young Romanians a chance to a brighter future and it enables partnering companies to fulfil their social responsibility agenda. World Vision Romania is proud to work together with YCI in facilitating a practical education for a new generation of young men and women of disadvantaged backgrounds who otherwise would have few opportunities. Catalin Popa, National Director World Vision "
Another key partner of the initiative in Romania is the Institute for the Development of Human Resources (IDRU). They provide two months of extra training, which will enable participants to qualify as Hotel Industry Technicians. The certification is recognised in Romania as well as in the wider European Union, which will allow graduates to look for work on a national level and in Europe.
YCI Romania was first launched in 2004 at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, presenting a brilliant training opportunity to young participants with limited chances to find a job or to continue in further education. In the words of Mr Igael Porecki, General Manager at JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel:
"At the JW Marriott Bucharest, we’re always happy to get involved in various CSR causes, may it be directly or by supporting local or international organizations. Being part of YCI is more than special. The students - at maybe the most decisive stage of their lives - actually become part of our family, and we get to see them blossom right before our eyes."
As part of the YCI course, the young participants will be attending over 750 training hours through a combination of theoretical and practical instruction, including mentoring in life and work skills, with most of the teaching coming from senior managers and highly experienced associates from the hotels. The students will then be issued with an official certificate of achievement.
Andreea Ciobanu, a 23 year-old participant shares her views: “I am so happy to be part of the programme and I see this as a unique opportunity in our lives. I am very grateful to be given the chance to be learning about the ins and outs of the world of tourism. I would like to thank YCI for everything the programme means to me as well as to so many other young people around the world.”
The graduation ceremony of the third YCI programme in Bucharest is expected to take place in May 2012.
For more information, please contact: Alberto Canovas, Programme Manager, Youth Career Initiative at alberto.canovas@iblf.org or +44 207 467 3643.
Image below: YCI Romania 2011-2012 Students
