(ANS – Madrid) – Yesterday, 17 June, at the Madrid Hilton Airport Hotel, Hilton Hopes 2013 diplomas were awarded to nine young people, aged between 18 and 32. Hilton Hopes is a project for work training devised by the Federation of Pinardi Social Programmes of the Salesians in Madrid, in cooperation with the hotel. These young people who come from Salesian Social Programmes, had spent four months acquiring skill to prepare them for the world of work.

The Hilton Hopes programme was started in 2012 through an initiative of the Pinardi Federation and the directors of the Hilton Airport Hotel in Madrid. It is part of the Pinardi training programme which aims at giving vulnerable young people skills that will equip them adequately to meet the demands of the work market. In the real work situation of the hotel, the young people acquired practical skills that enabled them to enter this field of work or, in some cases, to go on to higher studies.

There were several workshops included in the 2013 Hilton Hopes course. Something new this year was the direct involvement of the United States Embassy which offered the students classes in English, and Vatel, the Madrid International School of Hotel Administration and Tourism which gave classes related to their work.

“We have seen a positive motivational influence on some young people, especially those who do not attend university and have not found work. The success of this first course has been overwhelming, and so we have decided to continue with it” said Alessio Colavecchio, General Manager of the Hotel.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation of Pinardi Social Programmes, the Salesian, Fr Luis Alberto Guijarro, Delegate for Salesian Youth Ministry in Madrid, had this to say: “Collaboration with the Madrid Hilton Airport Hotel has enabled these young people, who had no specific training in hotel work, to acquire the skills and experience that offer them real hope of employment in the sector.”

After the ceremony of the awarding of the Hilton Hopes 2013 diplomas and attendance certificates, all present were invited to refreshments prepared by the students as a demonstration of what they had learned in cooking, coordinating and organizing a banquet.

Salesian Social Programmes are working hard to enable young people to find jobs. Apart from formal and informal education, the young people are also  introduced to different forms of collaboration with businesses

“Training In and With Business” is part of this programme for young people in actual work conditions. The Salesian centres which belong to the Pinardi Federation started this programme in 2010 in conjunction with different firms offering services in health and well-being. More than 72% of the young people taking part in these programmes went on to find work or continued with higher studies.
 
Published 18/06/2013