As Ombudswoman, I believe now is a crucial time. The current environment without any perspective has resulted in emigrations. This must force us to share positive ideas such as the Life Learning Academia project to help young people see their future in Slovenia. Young people possess a great amount of knowledge and we have experience. This can make a great combination. Some are afraid that the youth would surpass them and therefore do not include them in the working environment. I am not afraid of them. I want to be surrounded by the best advocates and am thus very pleased to collaborate with the youth. I encourage each one of them to show us an innovation, a new way. We had a great student with us, the best one at his faculty; he performed great at the placement and we were happy to give him the “Referenca” award, which will connect him with the positive values of our institution when looking for a job.

At our company, we usually hire young staff while they are still studying. Our leading staff have grown with us. What we like best about the Life Leaning Academia is that it is designed for the youth to obtain experience. Our company has the same vision of training our staff. The “Referency” awarded by our company communicates that a student exceeded, to a certain point, the framework of the academic knowledge, which is essential in our field of work, as we have realised that merely formally educated economists are often not mature enough to handle the practical work at our company. Students, on the other hand, learn that work is not only made up of economic theories, but they also learn about the hard factors used in our work.

Slovenia’s youth is exceptional; it has potential in various professions. What we lack is the ability to break through. I know that Life Learning Academia’s idea for the “Reference” award is great. The potential of our young people must be recognised at the right moment and encourage it. Such award can represent the right way and the determination to achieve outstanding results. In the today’s difficult time it is not easy to anticipate who should do more to help the youth, but the organisation of events such as this one shows that individuals are trying their best and are able to make an out of the ordinary achievement.

This collaboration project is not new to me. I have coached young people from all levels of education for years. This is a very grateful task, as it is the easiest way to recognise good potential, and at the same time the company is also learning from the youth. The “Reference” awarded by a good-standing company is an impetus and it communicates that an employer has recognised a perspective person. The Life Learning Academia project is extremely important and I believe it its success. The state should see its importance and give incentives so that more companies with good practices would decide to mentor the youth.