Odyssea
In the heart of Greece, where the need for meaningful employment opportunities among vulnerable young people is critical, Odyssea, a non-profit social enterprise, has made it their mission to empower these individuals. With a clear vision of helping young people realise their full potential, Odyssea offers vocational training and employability services to connect youth with employment opportunities.
Sani/Ikos Group
The Sani/Ikos Group is an innovative and fast-growing group of luxury resorts in unique beachfront locations in the Mediterranean. Under the brand names Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts, the Group develops, owns and operates over 3,450 rooms and suites spread across 12 unique resorts in Greece and Spain, all ranked amongst the best luxury resorts in the world.
Partnership
In 2021, Odyssea reached out to the Sani/Ikos Group with a proposal to help the hotel group meet its bulk recruitment needs through tailor-made recruitment events. The Sani/Ikos Group was facing significant staffing challenges as they expanded operations. Odyssea stepped in, offering their expertise in candidate filtering and preparation, helping the hotel group identify the best-fit candidates for their vacancies.
The collaboration began with the organization of several “Interview Days” hosted by Odyssea. These events were specifically designed to streamline the recruitment process for the Sani/Ikos Group, leveraging Odyssea’s deep understanding of youth employability. Through this collaboration, Odyssea prepared more than 40 candidates for interviews, leading to the successful recruitment of 35 individuals by the resort group. The partnership extended into 2022 and 2023, with further recruitment events and an HR services package.
This partnership had a profound impact on the local hospitality (HoReCa) sector. By providing tailored vocational and life-skills training to vulnerable youth, Odyssea bridged the gap between job seekers and the thriving tourism sector in Greece. The majority of the young individuals who participated in the partnership now work in hospitality, earning between €900 and €1,100 per month. The Sani/Ikos Group’s commitment to local employment has further strengthened the HoReCa sector by providing job opportunities to local communities, with over 60% of their workforce coming from Greece and Spain.
“As a leader in sustainable hospitality, the Sani/Ikos Group not only supports local communities through employment but also offers extensive training and career development opportunities to its workforce. The partnership with Odyssea reflects the broader strategy of promoting employment in the HoReCa sector, creating a strong link between our business needs and the social mission of empowering youth for a brighter future”.
Anna Ioannou- Katidou, Departmental Trainer at Sani/ Ikos Group
“This partnership stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between social enterprises and mainstream businesses. Together, we have not only solved business challenges but also created real social impact, ensuring that vulnerable youth in Greece have the opportunity to thrive within the HoReCa sector. We believe that our commitment to sustainable operations and social inclusion paves the way for future collaborations that benefit both business and society”.
Jai Mexis, CEO Odeyssea
Impact
40 candidates were prepared for the interviews;
35 candidates out of 40 were successfully recruited by the resort group, earning between €900 and €1,100 per month.
