Agreement Signed with Pollo Campero for Job Placement of 200 Youth Nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2012-01-31
USAID Strategic Development Office: (503) 2501-3471
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section: (503) 2501-2471
www.usaid.gov/sv

Human Resources Manager from P.C. Servicios S.A de C.V., Leda de Romero, representing CMI, and the Director of the USAID Improving Access to Employment Program, Roberto Brunn, signed a memorandum of understanding to support job placement for 200 youth.

SAN SALVADOR– Representatives from the USAID Improving Access to Employment Program signed a memorandum of understanding with the restaurant division of Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI) for the training and job placement of youth in the Pollo Campero, Pans & Company, and Don Pollo restaurant chains.

The goal of the alliance is to join forces to offer training and job placement through the “YouthBuilders” initiative. This initiative is part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s program, and seeks to provide work to high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 26. Under the present agreement, 200 youth will have the opportunity to work in these prestigious restaurant chains, which are characterized by their excellent customer service.

USAID will finance the 40-hour basic skills course, entitled “Pre-Employment Restaurant Customer Service.” The goal is that participants will be immediately referred for a job interview with the CMI restaurant division in order to be contracted in predefined positions. This way, the initiative will promote job opportunities for youth in addition to their professional development.

Walter Delgado, a young man who received training in November, 2011, and was hired by Pollo Campero the following month, said: “I’m grateful to Pollo Campero for the opportunity they offer us to take part in this greater family and show that there are still committed young people like us who make a difference in our society.”

The memorandum was signed by Human Resources Manager from P.C. Servicios S.A de C.V., Leda de Romero, representing CMI, and the Director of the USAID Improving Access to Employment Program, Roberto Brunn.

“One of our principal commitments with El Salvador is contributing to the country’s economic development and the wellbeing of Salvadorans; this alliance will allow us to identify, train, and hire at least 200 youth nationwide in 2012 in our restaurant chain,” said Romero.

The USAID Improving Access to Employment Program, which is an important component of the Partnership for Growth signed between the governments of El Salvador and the United States, began in December, 2009, with the goal of improving the supply of qualified workers in accordance with the private sector’s demand for labor. To achieve this goal, the program organizes trainings based on competencies defined by the private sector, promotes the training of job counselors, and focuses on improving labor market information systems. All of this is carried out through alliances with the private sector, the Ministry of Labor and Social Services, the Social Investment Fund for Local Development, and various municipal governments.