Youth leadership charity Changemakers has named Hilton Worldwide as the winner of its awards programme for employers of young people. The awards were designed to recognise and celebrate employers who value and develop their younger employees.
Other employers highly commended for the awards include hotel chain Jurys Inn, theatre company Northern Stage, and online youth volunteering charity YouthNet.
Hilton Worldwide has been specifically recognised for its innovative approach to recruitment, training, and leadership development.
Changemakers is now calling on more employers from all sectors to harness young people’s leadership ability by providing opportunities to lead projects, access to training and development, and nurturing their professional development.
Adam Nichols, Chief Executive of Changemakers, said: “The entries to our awards consistently demonstrate that young people are able to lead in the workplace, whether that is a project, a team or an organisation. Moreover there is a clear business case for supporting young people into leadership roles. As well as being the talent pool for future leaders in the workplace, they can bring fresh, innovative ideas to an organisation.
“Employers like Hilton Worldwide understand the business case for developing their young leaders. We are calling for other employers to follow suit.”
David Waddington, 24, Business Development Manager at Hilton Worldwide, said: “It’s great that employers like Hilton Worldwide understand the need to invest in young people. I have been able to progress quickly through the company in a short space of time. I think this is due to my personal drive but also the culture within Hilton Worldwide that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.”
Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families, said: “I am delighted that so many businesses are supporting young people and are recognising their potential.
“Businesses are inspiring young people to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace, and Changemakers has awarded the very best.
“I want to see more and more businesses working with young people in this way.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Changemakers is holding a roundtable on 12 July on employers’ role in developing young leaders, attended by Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families, representatives from financial services, retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, trade sector and employers’ organisations.
2. Changemakers is a national youth leadership charity which works to unlock the leadership potential of young people. Changemakers launched a campaign in November 2011 to call for an increase in the proportion of young people in leadership roles in employment and in public and civic life.
3. Changemakers has run an awards programme designed to identify employers who value and develop their younger employees. Applicants were invited to demonstrate the role that young people have in management and leadership positions, development and progression opportunities for young people, and the ways in which recruitment takes into account values, attitudes and behaviours of young people, not just experience.
