(MissionNewswire) The fourth coaching program run by the Salesian Pinardi Federation, in collaboration with the BLC Group, has commenced for students in Madrid. The program, made up of one-on-one coaching and group work, aims to help poor youth develop job selection and interviewing skills to advance their likelihood of success in the business world.

Spain has been hit hard by the current economic troubles in Europe and now has the greatest inequality of the 27 countries of the European Union. According to the World Bank, close to 25 percent of Spanish workers are unemployed and a growing number of them can’t afford to buy enough food to live. One in five citizens are living below the poverty line.

The Salesians have recruited human resources professionals to volunteer for this initiative with 14 volunteers currently coaching youth in the program. The involvement and experience of these professionals, who work as a team with the Salesian staff who know the students and have witnessed first hand their educational and personal growth, has been very effective in helping youth find employment.

“This program is allowing young students to learn necessary life and business skills to be better equipped to find work in the business sector,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This program is particularly relevant at this time given the high unemployment rate in Spain. Youth need to develop the best skills they possibly can to compete in the job market.”

The coaching program focuses on helping youth through the selection and interview process of finding work. Youth are often insecure and unsure of themselves and how to best present their education, skills and experience during the interview process. To better help them prepare, youth undergo interview scenarios that are recorded and analyzed at an individual level so they can work to develop the necessary skills for succeeding in the selection process.

While the main focus is on skill building for youth, the Pinardi Federation also works to evolve the program platform and coaching techniques in order to keep current as labor markets’ focus and needs change. In this way, they can ensure the delivery of the highest quality assistance to youth who find it a challenge to secure employment.

Started in 2001, the Pinardi Federation has several programs focused on assisting poor youth to develop life and work skills. Currently, the organization has close to 40 projects aiding more than 2,000 youth. They range from promoting the quality of children’s lives, helping youth fit into jobs and supporting migrants through family mediation to community projects preparing for and raising awareness of volunteer activity.

“We want youth to succeed,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The Salesians have always grown and adapted their programs to best fit the needs of youth just as they continue to do at the Pinardi Federation.”

Sources

ANS – Spain – Fourth coaching programme for fitting into work and society

World Bank – Spain