Diageo's Hospitality Program, Learning Skills for Life, Trains and Secures Jobs for Unemployed Connecticut Residents

NORWALK, Conn., June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo graduated the first class of participants from its Norwalk Learning Skills for Life (LSFL) class. The program, designed to train unemployed and underemployed individuals, provides both life and business skills needed to secure employment in the hospitality industry with a focus on retail, enterprise and bartending. The graduation took place last week at Diageo's North American Headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The graduating class represents the first for Diageo in the U.S., and consists of students from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Waterbury and Stratford. The Norwalk cohort is especially noteworthy for its 100 percent retention rate, in addition to already placing 57 percent of its students in full time jobs and internships.

Norwalk graduate Israel Medina from Waterbury described the profound opportunities provided to him by the LSFL program, explaining, "Diageo's Learning Skills for Life program truly was a life changing experience. The program equipped me with the necessary tools to take control of my professional future, and I now find myself on a path to success I never imagined possible."

Together with academic partner Bartenders Academy of Fairfield, Connecticut, Diageo developed the six-week program during which students from a variety of community and employment workforce agencies, who are over 21 years of age, received intensive training in bartending skills. Additionally, participants received training in valuable life skills such as managing personal finances, interviewing, working in a team environment, and writing resumes and cover letters.

Dr. Danielle Robinson, Director of Corporate Relations for Diageo's Alcohol Policy and Reputation Management team, who heads LSFL in the U.S., and the Norwalk cohort in particular, spoke to the hard work and dedication of the recent graduates, stating, "Our students took full advantage of this incredible opportunity, and I am absolutely convinced that they will all be successful in their new careers. I will forever consider them a part of the Diageo family and am proud to be part of a program that affects such powerful change within our community."

LSFL in Norwalk is based on similar programs funded by Diageo throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, and South Africa, and represents Diageo's continued dedication to offering underserved individuals the opportunity to gain employment and positively contribute to their communities. Diageo has had over 100,000 graduates globally in the Learning for Life Program.   

Candidates interested in being considered for future LSFL programs in Norwalk can contact Danielle Robinson at 203-229-4398.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit, George Dickel, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140616/118644

SOURCE Diageo