The Learning for Life programme was created by Diageo Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) in 2008 as a vehicle to support unemployed youth with an opportunity to learn a skill and improve their social and economic standing. Since then, Learning for Life has grown significantly to deliver 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, and is core to Diageo’s sustainability strategy.

Zanele Njapha, sustainability manager at brandhouse, part of the Diageo group, said: “Learning for Life aims to provide valuable life skills and training to disadvantaged individuals in four key employment areas related to Diageo’s industry and business value chain. These are bartending, hospitality, retail and entrepreneurship. In addition the programme aims to offer first work experience to approximately 70% of participants with all training tailored to the demands and peculiarities of the local market, thereby ensuring the best possible route to securing long term employment.”

The aim is to take 25 underprivileged and unemployed trainees from Alexandra township and over a five week period, equip them with relevant skills to enable them work across all areas within the hospitality industry. This, Learning for Life’s first African programme, was launched in Johannesburg, on Monday, 27 July 2015 in partnership with Thirst Bar Services, Mould Empower Serve (M.E.S.), The Rocktown Institute for Hoteliers, Ciro Coffee Academy and Diageo.

“We are proud of the progress of this truly transformative programme. Every day we are able to improve 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,” added Njapha.

Mthandeni Mhlekwa, one of the trainees said: “I am so excited and humbled by the opportunity given to us young people in Alexandra. I have always been passionate about bartending and when I heard about this opportunity I grabbed it with both hands. This will also help me provide for my family in terms of basic needs such as food and shelter. The training is currently going very well and I cannot wait for the end results.”

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information on Diageo, visit www.diageo.com.