Madrid, Spain – February 2025 – A group of 12 young people from the “First Professional Experience” project of Pinardi BoscoSocial and the Community of Madrid successfully completed their work immersion period at Meliá Hotels International.

The Minister of Family, Youth, and Social Affairs, Ana Dávila, presided over the graduation ceremony held at Meliá Casa de las Artes.

For several years, Pinardi and the Community of Madrid have collaborated on this socio-labor integration initiative aimed at young people aged 18 to 29 facing vulnerable situations. Last year, the First Professional Experience program helped over 400 young people who had prematurely dropped out of school to access training and employment opportunities.

This was achieved through partnerships with 15 top-tier companies in industries such as hospitality, catering, logistics, construction, and maintenance. The project was funded with nearly €5 million from regional government funds and European grants. The collaboration between Pinardi and Meliá Hotels International began 10 years ago, when the prestigious hotel chain welcomed the first group of young trainees into various roles, including kitchen, housekeeping, and maintenance.

During the ceremony, Pilar García, Vice President of Talent and Culture at Meliá Hotels International, congratulated the graduates and expressed her pride in the program. Finally, Javier Doval, General Director of Pinardi, thanked the Meliá team for their years of cooperation and presented them with a commemorative plaque and a replica of Don Bosco’s first apprenticeship contract from 1850.