A programme powered by IBLF, the Youth Career Initiative (YCI) is a proven and cost-effective model for transforming the life chances of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The purpose is to empower young participants to make informed career choices, improve their employability and enhance their long-term social and economic opportunities. To date, leading hotel chains including Four Seasons, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott, Orient-Express and Starwood have implemented YCI programmes in 11 countries across the world.
Visit the YCI website here.
What is the Youth Career Initiative?
- YCI is a six-month education programme that provides disadvantaged young people with life and work skills
- Based in full service hotels, students are offered the opportunity to gain work experience in 15 departments, covering both practical and administrative areas
- Candidates spend 40% of their time in classroom sessions, covering topics from IT skills to CV workshops
- Eligible candidates are typically aged between 18-21 years old, have recently finished high school and are able to make a full-time commitment to the programme
- Suitable participants have limited or no opportunities to find decent, legitimate employment elsewhere or to continue in further education
- YCI has developed global core standards that are adapted to the needs of the target country. Each programme provides over 750 training hours through a combination of theoretical and practical instruction, including mentoring in life and work skills
"We recognise the value and the huge potential of schemes such as the Youth Career Initiative in helping to leverage the industry’s capacity to foster local pools of talent among disadvantaged communities around the world
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Ian Carter, President, Global Operations, Hilton Worldwide
Partnerships YCI provides a platform for the global hotel industry to work collaboratively across sectors. Participating hotels work with local non-profit and public organisations that help recruit deserving candidates via their local school networks and links with deprived local communities. Surveys of YCI graduates show that 47% go on to be employed in the hospitality industry, 26% find jobs in other industries or are self-employed, and 12% pursue further education.