The YCI model was born in Thailand, where the Youth Career Development
Programme (its operating name in the country), was first set up in 1995.
Starting in Bangkok, the programme was a dynamic partnership between
the Pan Pacific Hotel Group and UNICEF Thailand. Although the initial
intention was to serve as a strategic prevention measure against
potential exploitation of adolescent girls, young men were later
accepted onto the programme too.
"Over the last fifteen years about 30 hotels have joined the programme in Bangkok, which has graduated nearly 1,200 young people."
Over the last fifteen years about 30 hotels have joined the programme in
Bangkok, which has graduated nearly 1,200 young people. These graduates
have gone on to work in the hotel sector, followed other career paths
such as nursing or decided to engage in further education programmes.
The
training cycle usually runs from March until September every year. The
Youth Career Development Programme has expanded globally into the Youth
Career Initiative (YCI).