Brussels, March 11, 2016 --- Solvay has joined the “Alliance for YOUth”. Initiated by Nestlé in 2014, the Alliance is driven by leading companies in Europe to tackle youth unemployment in providing training and job opportunities. With Solvay, the Alliance has 18 European-wide members and close to 200 members in total.
The “Alliance for YOUth” acts to improve chances for the 4.5 million unemployed in Europe between 18-25 years: only one year after its launch, it provided 50.000 job and training opportunities for young Europeans.
Solvay CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu signed the “Alliance for YOUth” pledge in the presence of Nestlé’s Executive Vice President Luis Cantarell, representing the “Alliance for YOUth”, and European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen.
“Solvay is proud to help exceed the goal of the “Alliance for YOUth” to provide more than 100,000 job and training posts for young people by 2017, building on our numerous already existing youth employment programs,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. “This collective approach will greatly enhance possibilities for young people to obtain or expand their work experience, whereas companies can attract a diversity of talents that help secure their future in a rapidly changing world.”
In joining the “Alliance for YOUth” Solvay has also signed up to the European Alliance for Apprenticeship, a European Commission multi-stakeholder initiative to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe.
“The private sector plays a pivotal role in enlarging the chances of young people to find and keep their first job. At the same time, skills requirements from businesses are rapidly changing. Only through cooperation of all stakeholders and initiatives like the “Alliance for YOUth”, as part of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, we can create strong and innovative strategies to address youth employment,” said Marianne Thyssen, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labor Mobility.
“We are delighted to see Solvay joining the “Alliance for YOUth” as a European Partner. We are confident that extending the Alliance to like-minded companies will help us to promote and offer more quality apprenticeship schemes across Europe. Further developing vocational education and training programs is key to allow young Europeans to gain the right skills and to increase their chances on the job market,” said Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Executive Vice President, Head of Zone Europe, Middle East and North Africa.
Through its legacy, Solvay has numerous youth employment programs in place. In 2015, Solvay hired about 420 interns and graduates in Europe, while apprenticeships in Germany exceeded 180 and in France about 280.
This year, Solvay will establish a French-German apprenticeship exchange and by 2017 the Group aims to have 5% of its work force in France from apprenticeships. As a member of the “Alliance for YOUth” joint programs are being elaborated building on the current programs.
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Press Contacts
Solvay: caroline.jacobs@solvay.com +32 2 264 15 30
bernard-jacques.thibaud@solvay.com +32 471981609
Nestlé Belgium: catherine.mentior@be.nestle.com +32 472 800267
Alliance for YOUth: olivera.medugorac@be.nestle.com +32 478 800 837
An international chemical and advanced materials company, Solvay assists its customers in innovating, developing and delivering high-value, sustainable products and solutions which consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions, optimize the use of resources and improve the quality of life. Solvay serves diversified global end markets, including automotive and aerospace, consumer goods and healthcare, energy and environment, electricity and electronics, building and construction as well as industrial applications. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,000 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of € 12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB:BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR).
About the “Alliance for YOUth”
The “Alliance for YOUth”, initiated by Nestlé, has pledged in 2014 to develop a number of joint and individual initiatives to give young people meaningful work experience and internships, generating more than 100,000 jobs and training opportunities. The companies will also mobilize their employees to go out into the community and help young people get ready for work by offering practical advice, CV clinics and interview preparation. The “Alliance for YOUth” partners are active members of the European Commission’s European Alliance for Apprenticeships, promoting apprenticeships and training as active ambassadors of vocational training across Europe.
European-wide partners include recruiter Adecco, insurer AXA, international food group Cargill, logistics groups CHEP and DS Smith, Global Energy Player ENGIE, consultants EY, social networking company Facebook, perfume and flavor firm Firmenich, information technology firm Google, retailer METRO GROUP, food and drink producer Nestlé, consumer insights group Nielsen, communications firm Publicis Groupe, technology firm Salesforce, chemicals and advanced materials company Solvay, information exchange platform Twitter and international law firm White & Case. To date close to 200 companies across Europe have joined the “Alliance for YOUth”.
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Twitter@NestleEU - #ALLiance4YOUth
About the “European Alliance for Apprenticeships”
The “European Alliance for Apprenticeships” (EAfA) is a unique platform which brings together governments with other key stakeholders, like businesses, social partners, chambers, vocational education and training (VET) providers, regions, youth representatives or think tanks. The common goal is to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe.
Moreover, the first on-line survey among stakeholders revealed the growing importance of mobility in apprenticeships.
The Alliance was launched in July 2013 with a joint declaration by the European Social Partners (ETUC, Business Europe, UEAPME and CEEP), the European Commission and the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Although managed by the Commission, the success of EAfA lies with the implementation of national commitments and the commitment of partners, notably through pledges by stakeholders.
