Youth unemployment continues to be a major issue impacting communities across the world. With the current global youth unemployment rate estimated at 11.8 per cent by the UN, young people are roughly twice as likely to be unemployed as adults.
In 2014, Hilton announced its Open Doors pledge to connect, prepare or employ one million young people by 2019. Thanks to a partnership with the International Youth Foundation and the efforts of Hilton Team Members around the world, the company has achieved and surpassed the pledge in 2019.
Over the past five years, properties and corporate offices have engaged with local youth to help set them on a path to success. Examples include:
- Human Resources teams in Mexico led hospitality and soft-skills training for 45 students from the International Tourism Partnership programme “Youth Career Initiative”.
- Last year, Hilton piloted its first Hilton Global Apprenticeship, which will be rolled out across the EMEA region in the next year. The Apprenticeship provides training and development for budding hospitality professionals in areas including kitchen, food and beverage, front of house and housekeeping, providing a structured path to their career in hospitality.
- More than 580 students have experienced the Work Inspiration Programme in Australia, in partnership with The Smith Family. The programme offers provides an opportunity for young people to have informative career conversations with Hilton Team Members and gain on-the-ground experience in hospitality.
Hilton will continue these efforts in support of its Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, which include a commitment to double investment in youth opportunity programmes in countries with the lowest youth wellbeing, and to support sustainable solutions and economic opportunity for all.