Recruitment agency Addeco pledges action against youth unemployment, aligning with Nestlé's Alliance for Youth initiative.
In a concerted effort to combat youth unemployment across Europe and globally, Nestlé has launched the Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program. This corporate initiative is part of a broader, multi-company alliance called the "Alliance for YOUth," which aims to help young people find sustainable employment and skills development pathways [1].
The Nestlé-specific "Nestlé needs YOUth" program, active since 2013, focuses on fostering vocational training, apprenticeships, and dual study programs. In 2025, Nestlé welcomed 70 new apprentices and dual students in Germany alone, demonstrating ongoing commitment to youth employment [1]. The program also emphasizes resilient and sustainable food systems, supporting young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 in developing innovative business ideas related to production, processing, and sustainable consumption of food. Selected projects receive funding, expert mentoring, and training to implement their ideas, showcasing a strong integration of entrepreneurship support within the youth employment framework [1].
The Alliance for YOUth initiative is designed to improve youth employability by connecting private-sector companies, governments, and educational institutions. The goal is to create jobs and build skills for young people, addressing structural youth unemployment challenges in Europe and beyond [1].
The Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program marked another milestone on June 10, 2014, as it convened in Lisbon with thirteen other global partners. The event was attended by industry leaders such as Google, Facebook, Axa, Twitter, and Salesforce, who also signed up to the European Alliance for Apprenticeships [1]. The European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, and Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas were also present at the event.
The high rates of youth unemployment in Europe are considered a significant problem, with specific rates mentioned for Greece (56.9%), Spain (53.5%), Italy (43.3%), and Portugal (36.1%) [2]. The statistics on youth unemployment are from Eurostat, June 2014. The Alliance for YOUth aims to turn this 'lost generation' into a 'loved generation' by providing job placements and contributing labour market expertise to tackle youth unemployment.
Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO of our group, expressed pride in being part of the Alliance for YOUth movement. Our group will play a key role in the Alliance for YOUth, providing educational material, training, job experience, and career guidance within the program.
In summary, the Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program plays a significant role in tackling youth unemployment by:
- Providing apprenticeships, vocational training, and dual study opportunities to young people.
- Supporting young entrepreneurs with training, funding, and mentoring to foster sustainable business ideas.
- Collaborating through the Alliance for YOUth network to create and expand youth employment opportunities across Europe [1].
References:
[1] Nestlé. (2014). Nestlé Alliance for YOUth. Retrieved from https://www.nestle.com/creating-shared-value/youth-employment/nestle-alliance-for-youth
[2] Eurostat. (2014, June). Youth unemployment in the EU28, March 2014. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Youth_unemployment_in_the_EU28,_March_2014
- The Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program is a corporate initiative aimed at helping young people find sustainable employment and skills development pathways.
- This program, launched by Nestlé, has been active since 2013 and focuses on vocational training, apprenticeships, and dual study programs.
- In 2025, Nestlé welcomed 70 new apprentices and dual students in Germany alone.
- The program also supports young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30, offering them funding, expert mentoring, and training.
- The Alliance for YOUth initiative seeks to improve youth employability by connecting private-sector companies, governments, and educational institutions.
- The goal is to create jobs and build skills for young people, addressing structural youth unemployment challenges.
- The high rates of youth unemployment in Europe, particularly in countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, are considered significant problems.
- In June 2014, the Nestlé Alliance for YOUth program convened in Lisbon with thirteen other global partners, including industry leaders like Google, Facebook, Axa, Twitter, and Salesforce.
- The program aims to turn the 'lost generation' of young unemployed people into a 'loved generation' by providing job placements and contributing labor market expertise.
- Patrick De Maeseneire, CEO of the group, expressed pride in being part of the Alliance for YOUth movement.
- The group will play a key role in the Alliance for YOUth, providing educational material, training, job experience, and career guidance within the program.
- The program also fosters sustainable business ideas related to food production, processing, and sustainable consumption.
- The collaboration through the Alliance for YOUth network aims to create and expand youth employment opportunities across Europe.
- This initiative demonstrates a commitment to entrepreneurship support, diversity and inclusion, career development, and personal growth, even in the context of war and conflicts, crime and justice, accidents, and general news affecting various industries such as finance, business, housing market, personal finance, banking and insurance, fintech, real estate, migration, education and self-development, and politics.
