WE ARE MATCH-MAKERS:
We pair businesses in eternal need of manpower with most motivated people willing to work hard and perform. We encourage employers to SHARE their opportunities and help people, TRUST and get back loyal, dedicated employees who will help GROW their business.
WE ARE CHANCE GIVERS:
We believe in giving ex-prisoners, refugees and other vulnerable groups a second chance and see the person behind their criminal record, health status, citizenship or social status. By giving people a second chance, we give them not only the opportunity to have a decent job, but also all the tools they need to effectively develop their innate skills and abilities to build their potential.
WE ARE TRAINERS:
We provide ex-prisoners, former drug users, people with special needs, refugees or other vulnerable groups with intensive, life-changing training, coaching, mentoring, personal development and career opportunities.
WE ARE PERCEPTION-CHANGERS:
Society puts many negative labels on ex-prisoners, former drug users, people with special needs, refugees or other disadvantaged groups. By using public platforms to showcase our experience, we are challenging public attitudes towards these people.
WE ARE REPLICATORS:
We want to replicate Divetro model and prove to the broader business community what we already know here: the employment of refugees and people from vulnerable groups works! Our experience shows that they are often more active in the labor market than the general population. Just check it out!
FOUNDING STORY
After having many run-ins with the law, this entrepreneur decided to help those who has had a troubled past if they demonstrate that they want to turn their lives around.
Vladimir Gaiț, founder of “Bertam Grup”
If you’d told me 12 years ago today I’d be leading and running a fast-growing company, I would’ve called you crazy.
I experienced, shall we say, a pretty rebellious youth. I started to smoke cannabis at 15. When I was 22 I tried hard drugs and was addiсted for about 10 years. My conviction was at the age of 24, leading me to be jailed for four years. After many run-ins with the law, I had to make a choice: go to jail again or change my life for good.
I took the latter option. I was lucky to meet a person who trusted me and offered me a job. He helped me to check in into a rehabilitation program and I was hoping to get my life back on track. Being an ex-prisoner with no high education and with drug problems, I managed to rose from a parcel loader to a head of wholesale department.
I realized that not everyone in that position would have been as lucky. Many people who experience the criminal justice system won’t have the opportunity to prove themselves the way that I was able to. That is why, when I founded my company in 2012, I decided to do everything in my power to help those with a troubled past, have hit rock bottom or who come from nothing to help them make positive transformations in their lives.
Today, 80% of my staff are people with troubled past, former inmates and former drug users. Our own experience at DiVetro shows that these people are among the most motivated and loyal employees you can find anywhere.
By creating opportunities to give ex-felons and other disadvantaged groups better chances through employment, we can make a real difference to society at large. Business must be part of the solution!