Nestlé to tackle European youth unemployment with new scheme

Nestlé, the world’s biggest food company, plans to help at least 20,000 young people across Europe find employment over the next three years.

The “Nestlé in Europe” Youth Employment Initiative will offer jobs and create thousands of apprentice positions and traineeships by 2016.

As part of the new initiative, Nestlé will also encourage its European suppliers to offer a job, apprenticeship or traineeship to the under 30s.

“Governments alone cannot resolve the problem of youth unemployment in Europe – companies must play their part,” said Laurent Freixe, Nestlé executive vp and zone director for Europe. “We are committed to offering a substantial number of young people the opportunity to learn and develop within our company”.

The roles offered as part of the initiative will be across all the different business areas and at all levels within the company – from operators on the factory floor to sales assistants and business management. The Nescafé maker is seeking talented young people with vocational skills and training, as well as graduates seeking their first position after university.

Further details of the programme will be announced in September.