Senator the Honourable Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development met with Nestlé’s Country Manager, Michel Beneventi, along with members of the management team for discussions on the company’s committed effort on enhancing the labour pool and its growth in Trinidad and Tobago. The discussions were held at Nestlé’s Valsayn Factory on Tuesday 13th December, 2016.
Discussions focussed on Nestlé’s plan for continued growth and sustainability of Trinidad and Tobago’s skilled and labour force, employee relations and the Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative. The Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative encourages youth employment and skilled training through internships, apprenticeships and trainee programmes provided by the company and our Alliance 4 YOUth partners.
11,300 young people under the age of 30 are seeking employment opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago. Annually, over 3,000 students graduate every year, seeking a job. Nestlé has mandated itself to decrease these statistics and has, thus far, connected with over 3,000 students in secondary schools, universities, ministries and with the Alliance through readiness to work activities.
Minister Baptiste- Primus congratulated Nestlé on its Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative and looked forward to partnering with the company in affording our youth the opportunity to build their careers through meaningful work experience.
After the discussion, the Minister Baptiste- Primus toured the Valsayn Factory and received a first-hand view of the production facilities.