Javier's story.
What if, on top of living in Sevilla, a city with a high unemployment rate , you are also at risk of exclusion due to a disability? Such was the case for Javier Aranda Arques, a 33-year-old Sevillian. “It was hard to find a job – sometimes I lacked the right training,” says Javier. A few years back, however, his luck turned when he participated in a program created by Fundacion Randstad and Fundación Juan Ramón Guillen. Through this program, he received special training and found a job that he refinery.
this is his story.
Javier lives with his mother and brother in Seville. He can afford to support himself, but earning a salary is not the most important part of his work. “For me it is important to have a job. A job gives me dignity and enables me to support myself.”
About a decade and a half ago, Spain doubled its efforts to provide jobs for those who have trouble participating in the labor market. By adopting a new legislation called “The General Law on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Their Social Inclusion,” the government ensured that two percent of all vacancies are filled by those with disabilities. Since then, Randstad Spain’s mission has been to create a more inclusive labor market across the country through its Randstad Fundacion. The foundation is a separate, non-profit entity within Randstad Spain working on the equality of job opportunities for disadvantaged people by improving their employability and preparing them to find a job.
In its 15 years of existence, Fundacion Randstad has brought together 1.500 companies, 550 NGOs and 37.000 workers, improving their employability. Around 13.000 vulnerable job seekers found employment through the foundation.
Coosur solidarity: a joint effort.
“Fundacion Randstad trained me to become a leisure counselor through a program specially designed for people with an intellectual disadvantage,” says Javier. The program he is referring to is called “Coosur Solidarity,” a collaboration between Randstad Fundación and The Fundación Juan Ramon Guillen. The results of this program have been successful, in total, 450 candidates have benefited from the program. “What counts for us is the results,” says Ana Sanchez Lago, manager at Fundación Juan Ramon Guillen. “We hope that our training helps people find a job and become part of a company without getting preferential treatment.”
The Fundación’s parent company, Grupo Acesur, is one of the biggest oil exporters in the world. Acesur founded the Juan Ramón Guillén Fundación in 2011 in an effort to bring the rural – and especially olive oil sector – closer to the public through increased visibility, training and research. Through this cooperation, Javier eventually found a job at Hacienda Guzmán: an olive oil refinery in Seville and the headquarters of the Fundación Juan Ramon Guillen.
As counsellor, Javier is a guide for just about anyone who visits the Hacienda; from kids to teenagers and students. During the tours, he helps them with workshops and a variety of activities. Javier finds great joy in his new work.
“I feel great when a student is engaged in what we do and playfully learns during one of our workshops,” he says.
Sanchez Lago, who speaks highly of Javier, shares his enthusiasm. “His handicap has never limited him. If anything, it helped him to work hard and enjoy what he does.”
Javier wholeheartedly agrees: “I love my job! It gives me a strong sense of self-worth. By finding work, I really pushed my boundaries.”
Randstad’s ultimate goal
These efforts are part of our ultimate goal. By 2030, Randstad wants to touch the work lives of 500 million people worldwide. It’s an ambitious goal for sure, but one that is necessary to underpin our biggest commitment: to maximize employment and contributes to economic growth worldwide. Ever since the 1970s, the simultaneous promotion of all interests has been one of Randstad’s core values. It is our belief that in order for a company to thrive, it has to look beyond its own desires and needs and contribute to society as a whole.
Workplace diversity and inclusion is a big part of that. It is also what makes the 'Coosur Solidarity' program so important. By creating these programs, initiatives and collaborations, we are bolstering equal job opportunities for disadvantaged people, improving their employability and preparing them for the labor market. An inclusive workplace is not just good for business; it safeguards human and labor rights. In this way, the unemployment threat Javier’s peers face is minimized. But it also helps those working at Randstad. “Helping these people motivates us personally and professionally every day,” says Ana Ballesteros, director at Fundacion Randstad.
With an optimistic outlook, Javier says he has a long and promising road ahead. “I plan to keep working until I retire. I want to fulfill my dreams, be an example to others and show them the sky's the limit when you persevere,” he adds.