EDF Fenice joins the ‘E3 Challenge’ to reduce youth unemployment, which in Spain is double the European Union average.

They propose solutions that foster young people’s talent and contribute to their professional future EDF Fenice, a specialist in Energy Efficiency and Photovoltaic Self-Consumption solutions for the industrial and tertiary sectors, joins the ‘Reto E3’ business alliance of the Fundación Exit, an organization with over 20 years of experience in innovative training projects for vulnerable young people. Both entities will promote joint solutions that enhance the talent of vulnerable young people and help boost their professional future. This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and will also help reduce early school leaving and improve the employability of young people. Within the Fundación Exit programs, EDF Fenice will provide, through its corporate volunteers, knowledge, motivation, and support for the professional careers of vulnerable young people, who will be able to learn firsthand about the reality of companies, the job market they face, and the opportunities offered by the energy sector. “EDF Fenice volunteers will share their talent and experience with young people and become their role models, sharing their experiences and the day-to-day reality of the energy efficiency sector, a highly topical issue right now. Their guidance can be very valuable for all young people, especially those who want to become specialists in an area that will see great development in the coming years,” explains Mercedes Guinda, Director of Corporate Development at Fundación Exit. The initiative arises in a context where the health crisis and its social and economic consequences have severely impacted the youngest group, and even more harshly on vulnerable young people. Although Spain already led the rankings in youth unemployment and school dropout rates before the crisis, current figures have soared to double the European average, with 39.5% youth unemployment and 17.3% school dropout, according to data from INE and Eurostat, respectively. “At EDF Fenice, we want to do our bit to alleviate the current employment situation and offer young people a solid and future-oriented path, with mechanisms that combine training and real work experiences to contribute to their professional development,” explains Juan Manuel Garcia, Director of People and Talent at EDF Fenice. The current employment situation for young people in our country is very serious, and measures from all levels are increasingly necessary to reverse the data as soon as possible. This is the view from the Fundación Exit and its Director of Corporate Development, Mercedes Guinda, who notes that “Reto E3 aims to promote joint solutions with companies, and EDF Fenice’s role is key to enhancing young people’s talent, as well as reducing the high rate of early school leaving and unemployment, two aspects that seriously condition their future.” The energy sector is becoming one of the main drivers of the economy for the coming years. Furthermore, EDF Fenice’s commitment to energy efficiency and responsible resource consumption positions it as a market leader and a major attraction for many young people who want to develop their professional career in a company whose values align with their own. “This Fundación Exit initiative has been very well received by EDF Fenice, a company that stands out for its commitment to sustainability and support for new generations, so that they can access training that breaks down barriers to their entry into the work environment,” concludes Mercedes Guinda. Reto E3 has already brought together more than 39 companies of different profiles, from multinationals to family businesses, and from various sectors such as energy, ICT, finance, insurance, consulting, health, food and consumer goods, hospitality, chemicals, automotive, construction, and infrastructure. During 2020, despite the difficulties caused by the health emergency, Fundación Exit managed to guide, motivate, and support 1,277 vulnerable young people. These figures are expected to increase this year with the launch and development of this initiative.