Diageo Ireland recently marked the tenth anniversary of the company’s award-winning Learning for Life hospitality training programme.
Over the past decade, the initiative has seen almost 2,000 people from disadvantaged and minority communities graduate to date.
The milestone was celebrated at an event the Guinness Open Gate Brewery attended by Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, graduates, trainers and hospitality businesses.
'Overwhelming Success'
“Diageo’s Learning for Life programme has played a vital role in supporting people from disadvantaged and diverse communities to gain the necessary skills and learning required to pursue a career in the hospitality sector," said Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“The programme has proved to be an overwhelming success, with clear benefits for the participants, hospitality businesses and the wider economy alike."
Learning for Life
Learning for Life, Diageo’s flagship global hospitality skills training programme first launched in Ireland in 2014.
Delivered in partnership with First Western, Springboard, Skillnet Positive Work and the Guinness Storehouse, the initiative operates more than 80 training programmes on the island of Ireland.
The aim of the programme is to support people who may have faced barriers to employment in their life and to help them gain the requisite skills, training and confidence to pursue a career in hospitality.
'Hospitality Sector'
“We are extremely proud to have helped almost 2,000 people develop skills and avail of training to help them on their career journey over the past ten years," said Shane Kelly, corporate relations director of Diageo Ireland.
"The initiative is also an important part of our commitment to support the hospitality sector in Ireland and we are grateful for the involvement of over 500 businesses who have participated in the programme since 2014.”
Employment Opportunities
Upon completion of the programme, learners are paired with participating hospitality businesses.
Over 500 businesses have been involved in the Learning for Life programme to date, providing employment opportunities and training to learners in areas such as customer service, management, wine, beer and spirits knowledge, communication skills as well as sustainability in hospitality and tourism.
Of the 2,000 learners who have graduated though the Learning for Life programme to date, 85% have remained in full-time employment, and not just in the hospitality sector.
'Pathways To Employment'
“Diageo’s Learning for Life programme has succeeded in providing pathways to employment for almost 2,000 people from underrepresented communities," said Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of the Open Doors Initiative.
“The programme is a clear example of how a business can take a leadership role in delivering positive social impact and change lives for the better.”
