Alex youths get world-class bartender training

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Twenty-four Alex youths are proud beneficiaries of a five-week professional training course in the hospitality industry offered by Diageo, a global drinks company.

The course, offered under the company’s Learning for Life programme and part of its sustainability and responsibility strategy, is a response to the growing level of youth unemployment in the country. The programme has been attended by over 100 000 individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in 35 countries who benefited through skills development. There are also some career opportunities in the company.

The youths were trained in bartending, hospitality, retail and entrepreneurship. The training was also tailored to the demands and peculiarities of the local market to ensure their best possible chance of long-term employment.

This comes at a time when the country’s unemployment rate is at an all-time high at 26.4 percent. South Africa has been classified by the International Labour Organisation as having the eighth highest unemployment rate in the world.

One of the trainees, Boniface Palmer said, “I am so excited and humbled by the opportunity given to us young people from Alexandra. I have always been passionate about bartending and when I heard about it, I grabbed it with both hands. The certificate that I received is going to open doors for me and other trainees.”

The company’s Michael Mabasa said the training opened the youths to opportunities of joining other international bartenders to further their passion, and to receive support in world-class global mentoring programmes.

“We are proud to have brought this truly transformative programme to South Africa,” he said.

“A programme that improves 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. By doing so, we also support the growth of the local economy.”

Details: Meropa Communications 011 506 7300.