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European Vocational Skills Week
News announcement20 November 2017Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Qualifications opened doors for Amparo

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Amparo longed for her own home, but financial instability held her back until training helped her land a full-time job.
Of Roma origin, Amparo Navaja Maldonado had been struggling to secure permanent work due to a lack of experience and qualifications. Taking part in a ESF-funded course provided by the ACCEDER programme in Spain allowed her to train as a chambermaid, while also gaining work experience at a hotel. “The course gave me an extra qualification to help get jobs,” she recalls. “It opened many doors.”
It was the beginning of a new career for Amparo. Soon after finishing the course, she got a fixed contract as a hotel chambermaid. Flash forward four years and she secured a permanent position at one of Seville’s biggest hotels before being promoted to a supervisory role with her own team. This success not only boosted Amparo’s self-confidence, but also enabled her to realise her dream of a better life for her family.
Amparo is just one of an estimated six million Roma people living in the EU, often under difficult conditions. Supporting Roma is one of the key priorities of the EU and vocational training programmes like ACCEDER are a great way of equipping them with the skills and experience they need to their employment prospects and quality of life.
Want to find out more? Check out the links below:
About the project (Spanish)
About the project (English)
Social inclusion (ESF website)
Tourism sector (DG Growth website)
Tourism opportunities (Sector Skills Alliance)

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Adult learner/employee