10 youths will benefit from an initiative by the President’s Trust Employment to help them get out of risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The initiative was sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Trust and nine different companies. Addressing a press conference this morning, President Marie-Louise ColeiroPreca said that the initiative is aimed at helping those young people who due to particular situations in their lives, tend to fall out of the “existing safety nets” in particular with regards to training and employment.

She explained that through an individual assessment of skills, personal qualities and personal challenges, the young person is matched to a potential employer who will be willing to provide an on-the-job training and eventually, an employment contract.

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The nine participating companies are; Playmobil Malta, PG Group, Camilleri Group, The Convenience Shops, Casa Antonia, James Caterers, Maypole and Costa Coffee. “These companies believe that with the right commitment and support, these youths have a potential to flourish,” the President added.

Sarah Borda Bondin, the Director of the President’s Trust said that the President believes that each and every youth in Malta’s society is an asset and that if their skills are recognised, they can grow through employment until they find their feet.

The participants in this initiative will be offered support of an adult volunteer as mentor and serve as a contact point throughout the experience.

The project was also made possible through volunteers who approached the initiavie through noffri.com.