Every year, we meet with a big team in order to share results of the assisted employment program and get inspired for new achievements. It is our common striving to spread the practice of employment of people with special needs to all the regions in Russia, to scale this practice and make the Russian business community inclusive.
In 2021, 52 candidates from the Rabota-i center got their firs work experience in ZARINA, befree, LOVE REPUBLIC and sela stores. This is the absolute record figure over 9 years of the the program existence. And our main pride lies in the geographic expansion of the project. Young people with special needs were able to try themselves not only in St Petersburg stores, but also in Oryol and Cherepovets.
Apart from this, Melon Fashion Group became the ambassador of the assisted employment project in 2021: jointly with Rabota-I, we took part in HRExpo, AmCham Russia and other conferences so that more and more people and businesses should learn about the project. We have received several prestigious awards including the HR Brand award from Head Hunter in the Equal Opportunities special nomination.
Rabota-i deals with assisted employment of youngsters with low starting possibilities: disabled people, orphanage graduates and those of correctional schools. Due to the project, such youngsters can get their first job experience in the Melon Fashion Group stores. Their shop tutors teach them to iron clothes, attach alarm tags, replenish and hang clothes by sizes, work at the storage and deal with customers. Participation in the project allows young people to join the staff of the company, or to enter the open labour market.
We are extremely glad that our joint project is actively developing and benefits the society. We are sure that many interesting and exciting moments are awaiting us. Friendship with Rabota-i and its candidates fills our life with joy and fulfillment.