DIAGEO is celebrating the success of its Learning for Life global training programme, an initiative implemented to help individuals across regions develop their skills and build career opportunities.

Learning for Life is the cornerstone of Diageo’s Sustainability and Responsibility strategy, and was created in response to growing levels of youth unemployment. The programme has now supported over 100,000 individuals across 35 countries, including Jamaica.

Learning for Life was implemented in partnership with local educational, governmental and training organisations across the world. It provides valuable life skills and training to disadvantaged individuals in four key employment areas related to Diageo’s industry and business value chain. These include bartending, hospitality, retail and entrepreneurship. In addition, the programme aims to offer first work experience to approximately 70 per cent of programme participants, with all programmes tailored to the demands and peculiarities of the local market, thereby ensuring the best possible route to securing long-term employment.

The programme was created by Diageo Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) in 2008 as a sustainable and tailored approach to supporting individuals in the regions where Diageo operates. Since that time, Learning for Life has grown to more than 75 programmes in over 35 countries. Its initial success in LAC was followed by expansion elsewhere across the globe to locations across Europe and North America. It is now a truly worldwide programme.

At the core of Diageo’s sustainability strategy, Learning for Life is an investment in individuals struggling for opportunity.

“We are proud of the progress of this truly transformative programme. Every day we are able to support the lives of thousands of people by providing them with the skills and training to find employment and make a better future for themselves and their families. In doing this, we are supporting the growth of local economies on a global scale,” said Red Stripe’s managing director Cedric Blair.

In Jamaica alone, the programme has graduated 11,500 participants.

Charlotte Lambkin, corporate relations director, Diageo plc, said Learning for Life is a truly great idea.

“In every market in which we operate, people need support and training in order to get good jobs to support themselves and their families. We are passionate about our commitment to sustaining our business and our brands. Learning for Life allows us to train people to work in the hospitality industry and become lifelong brand ambassadors. It also allows us to work in partnership with our customers, our employees, governments, NGOs, training agencies and programme participants and their families. It is both the right thing to do and it is good for business.”

All Diageo markets operating a Learning for Life programme hosted local celebrations on November 4 in recognition of the more than 100,000 lives the programme has helped to transform.

Red Stripe’s Totlyn Brown Robb (centre) and Levaughn Flynn (back row, 3rd right) pose with members of the current Red Stripe Learning for Life programme during an awards ceremony on November 4.