We looked into the reason why these young people could not find work and we concluded that what they lacked was the right preparation to look for a job. So we carried out mentoring programmes to train them. 60% of the 200 graduates found a qualified job in six months. After this experience we decided to create the association.

There are some requisites that the young people must meet: they must have a minimum of four years study and have difficulties finding a job owing to their disadvantaged backgrounds. For the mentors, the requisites are that they are actively employed; that they are aware that they have a network to help and that their commitment is voluntary. Mentor and young person share expertise, and we always try to connect the young people with a mentor who has a similar profile.

In the six years since it was set up, the association has helped 13,210 young people, thanks to 3,340 mentors, and has achieved a 75% success rate. Mentoring really can change your whole life: after years of study and overseas stays, I returned to my country and tried to find a good job, but I couldn’t, and thanks to a mentor I obtained some positions; finally I decided to  work with the association.