A decade driving employment inclusion. APRIL: diversity, support and a commitment to young talent
This year marks a very meaningful triple anniversary: 10 years of APRIL in Spain, 10 years of collaboration with Fundación Exit, and 10 years of participation in the Incorpora program by Fundación ”la Caixa”. A decade of joint work that has boosted the employability of young people in vulnerable situations and consolidated a collaboration model based on diversity, inclusion and shared growth.
In this context, we interviewed Raquel Rodríguez Pascual, Chief Financial Officer, Head of HR and Deputy General Manager at APRIL, who shares her perspective on the impact of this partnership and the evolution of the company’s social commitment over the past ten years.
This year you celebrate a very special triple anniversary: 10 years of APRIL in Spain, 10 years of collaboration with Fundación Exit and 10 years in the Incorpora program by Fundación ”la Caixa”. From your day-to-day experience, how do you assess what this joint journey has meant for you and for APRIL?
Celebrating this decade together is very meaningful for us. It is a path we have walked hand in hand, growing together along the way. The establishment and development of the company in Spain has always been linked to collaborations that bring a special spirit of diversity and inclusion, and Exit has undoubtedly been one of the most important partners in this process.
Looking back, how has your commitment to the employment of young people in vulnerable situations evolved over these 10 years?
At the beginning, the collaboration with Exit emerged as just another initiative among those we were considering when creating a company in Madrid with a strong foundation in social collaboration. However, over time it has become part of who we are: a commitment to employment inclusion that is now a natural part of our daily work and recruitment processes.
Around 30 young people have been or are currently part of the APRIL family. What has it meant for your teams to incorporate this talent through Fundación Exit and Incorpora?
The young people who have joined the company have undoubtedly been a source of talent and energy. When they saw the opportunity, they put all their effort into proving their worth—and they certainly did. They have brought profiles with a truly remarkable level of dedication and loyalty.
From your role, directly supporting these onboarding processes, what factors are key to ensuring that their arrival is a successful experience both for them and for the company?
From the HR department, we pay special attention to ensuring that their arrival is supported appropriately and consistently, from the interview process to their first day. It is also key that department managers and their teams play an active role in the onboarding process. We work with them to define guidelines -mentoring, introductory meetings, and guides to better understand the environment- that help ensure quick integration.
How does having professionals who access their first job opportunity through programs like Incorpora impact the work environment and internal culture?
To build a positive work environment and a welcoming culture, it is very beneficial for our employees to be used to welcoming colleagues whom they will support not only technically but also in discovering the professional world. This is enriching for everyone. Within the company, it is understood that some of the people joining are starting their professional journey here, and supporting them is part of everyday work. This undoubtedly creates more enriching work environments.
Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities are values shared by Exit, Incorpora and APRIL. How are these principles reflected in the day-to-day work with young people or others in vulnerable situations who join your teams?
Our internal culture has a very strong foundation in diversity. We are a company with 26 nationalities among our more than 300 employees, highly diverse groups, wide age ranges and 65% women, among other indicators. This diversity is further strengthened by the inclusion of people who begin their working lives with us and bring new perspectives and experiences.
Guillermo and Mariam, who joined APRIL in 2025 and 2016 respectively, together with Raquel Rodríguez Pascual, CFO, Head of HR and Deputy General Manager of the company.
How can access to employment become a real tool for social progress for people in vulnerable situations?
Access to employment is not just another tool—it is the tool for social progress for these individuals. We see it every day with vulnerable groups who join us: having a job represents a real change that allows them to build a more stable socio-economic environment and move toward full integration.
After a decade of working together, what key lessons would you highlight from this partnership between APRIL, Fundación Exit and the Incorpora program?
The main lesson is that this type of partnership generates mutual benefit. The company contributes to employment inclusion and has a clear social commitment, but what it receives in return goes far beyond meeting CSR objectives. It gains people with great energy, strong commitment to the opportunity they are given, and a level of loyalty that goes beyond the professional sphere.
What message would you share with other companies considering investing in inclusive employment as part of their social commitment?
I would tell them that these initiatives not only respond to social commitment but also bring real value to the company: they strengthen a diverse culture, boost internal engagement and add professionals with a very special level of motivation and loyalty after being given an opportunity.
This decade of collaboration between APRIL, Fundación Exit and the Incorpora program by Fundación ”la Caixa” shows that employment inclusion not only transforms the lives of those accessing their first professional opportunity, but also the culture and growth of companies.
The shared experience demonstrates that diversity, support and a commitment to young talent generate a lasting positive impact, both socially and organizationally.
