Hilton Worldwide and nearly 40 other U.S. companies joined as signatories to the White House’s First Job Compact, an initiative to help communities and business connect out-of-work youth to jobs.
The compact is part of President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative to address opportunity gaps facing young African-American men.
“A first job can truly be life-changing, and at Hilton, we’ve seen countless examples of how someone can build their confidence, their skills and ultimately a fulfilling life if they are set on the right track in the beginning,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see someone who joined us in an entry-level position one day rise to the highest levels, and we are proud to partner with the White House to make this a reality for even more youth. Many of the most serious issues facing our nation and our world can be addressed by ensuring millions of young people receive the right opportunities when they are just starting out, and businesses like Hilton are very fortunate to benefit from their energy, passion and drive.”
The announcement of the First Job Compact was made yesterday in advance of the ESPN Town Hall with Obama at North Carolina A&T State University.
In August, Nassetta wrote a piece about youth unemployment for the Huffington Post.