Programme Overview

YCI operations in Europe first launched in Poland in 2004 with the Sheraton Warsaw piloting the programme. To date, YCI Poland has completed six cohorts and graduated 72 young participants. Six luxury properties in Warsaw featuring brands from leading hotel chains Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood and Rezidor combine efforts to run the training programme each year.

AVSI Polska, a non-governmental organisation supporting human development with particular attention to education, assists YCI in Poland with the recruitment and monitoring of the young beneficiaries, and the coordination of the programme alongside the participating hotels and other partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Spotlight on Poland

Poland’s economic doors opened once the country joined the European Union in 2004, allowing many young adults to broaden their opportunities to advance their education and skills. In 2011, tourism accounted for 4.8% of GDP and 4.7% of employment.

However, figures released by the Central Statistical Office in 2011 show that while the 15-34-age bracket remains the most prone to unemployment, in some regions the number of those without work reaches almost 60%. There is a great disparity between the youth’s overall skill-set and the qualifications preferred by most employers, such as vocational training.

YCI celebrates the end of its sixth year of operation in Poland

Following an intensive training course facilitated by six leading hotels in Warsaw, 8 young people were presented with certificates of achievement as they successfully completed the Youth Career Initiative (YCI) programme.

The graduation ceremony, hosted by The Westin Warsaw Hotel, was attended by representatives from partner organisations and the five other participating properties: Hyatt Regency Warsaw Hotel, Le Meridien Bristol Hotel, Marriott Warsaw Hotel, Radisson Blu Centrum Warsaw Hotel and Sheraton Warsaw Hotel & Towers.