Young people leaving or losing parental care are disproportionately affected by the global youth unemployment crisis, as they have fewer opportunities to get training. Moreover, these young people are required to be financially independent at an earlier age than peers growing up with their parents.
The AkzoNobel and SOS Children’s Villages partnership aim to provide training and education to these young people, to support their transition into independence and decent work.
As part of the program, young people receive professional and personal skills training and mentoring from AkzoNobel volunteering employees. In turn, they have a chance to gain practical experience by renewing and renovating SOS Children’s Villages facilities and their broader communities.
The skills gained improve their chances of becoming self-reliant adults who take responsibility for themselves and the communities around them. In the long term, the positive change brought about by improved employability of young people will benefit even more communities and countries as the initiative expands.
So far, more than 4,700 young people in 19 countries have participated in training activities involving over 800 AkzoNobel volunteers. The company plans to expand this partnership with SOS Children’s Villages to even more countries as part of its People. Planet. Paint. sustainability ambitions.
