Starbucks launches youth training programs

Starbucks has launched the second series of its “Opportunity Café” and “Pathway to a Job” programs in partnership with Education for Employment (EFE). The programs are part of the company’s support for Saudi Vision 2030, and follow the success of the first series.
The two programs aim to empower male and female Saudi students and job seekers, helping them make valuable contributions to their communities and the Saudi economy.
“Opportunity Café” is designed to teach young Saudis the soft skills that are essential for employability today. In addition to offering professional skill-building workshops on employability, the program addresses the key challenges youth face regarding employment — from making professional CVs to giving interviews, along with other skills and tools that help the youth kickstart their careers with confidence. The training is given by highly qualified labor market professionals in an appropriate learning environment that helps prepare the young to become potential leaders in the business sector. “Opportunity Café” will be launched at Starbucks cafes in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam on Sept. 25. Interested candidates can apply through Starbucks KSA website www.starbucksforyouthksa.com.
“Pathway to a Job” is aimed at helping Saudi youth fast track their careers into the service sector. Centered on youth awareness and development, the program offers focused training and workshops to help university students hone their skills for their first job in the real world. The program will be launched in a number of universities across the Kingdom on Oct. 9.
“We are pleased with the launch of the ‘Opportunity Café’ and ‘Pathway to a Job’ programs in partnership with EFE for the second time running,” said Rana Shaheen, regional communications and CSR manager, Starbucks Middle East. “The first series was a great success, with 161 young Saudis attending 19 workshops around the Kingdom.”
Amr Abdallah, director of Gulf programs at EFE-Global, said: “EFE and Starbucks Saudi Arabia deliver training programs that serve as models in the Saudi market. We are proud of the success of the first series of ‘Opportunity Café’ and ‘Pathway to a Job’ programs as we seek to empower Saudi youth so they can serve the community and advance the economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”