Diageo Launches Hospitality Training Program for Unemployed Veterans in Houston, Texas
Learning Skills for Life Program Will Train and Secure Jobs for Vets
HOUSTON, Texas, August 3, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, is proud to announce the commencement of the Learning Skills for Life (LSFL) hospitality training program in Houston, Texas. The program, designed to train unemployed and underemployed individuals, provides both life and business skills needed to secure employment in the hospitality industry.
Diageo is partnering with the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston to facilitate the program. Additional partners in the initiative are U.S. Vets, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans; Houston Launch Pad, a nonprofit organization that provides job development, skills training and transitional housing; Glazers, Inc., beverage distributors; and Combs Wines and Spirits
The inaugural cohort of seven students began this summer, and all participants are local veterans of at least 21 years of age. During the six-week program, students will receive intensive training in the hospitality industry. Additionally, participants will be taught valuable life skills such as managing personal finances, interviewing, working in a team environment, and writing resumes and cover letters. Each student will also receive interview apparel courtesy of Dignity U Wear.
“The ultimate goal of the Learning Skills for Life Houston program is to help prepare veterans for stable and successful careers in the hospitality industry, and Diageo is excited to bring this opportunity-rich program to the Houston market,” said Dr. Danielle Robinson, Diageo’s Alcohol Policy Director. “We are honored to have the opportunity to give back to servicemen and women who have served our country.”
“Diageo plays an important role in the hospitality industry every day, but the company’s sponsorship of Learning Skills for Life takes their leadership in hospitality to the next level,” said
Anna Johnson, manager of community engagement for the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. “The company’s commitment to finding employment for graduates is not only great for the veterans, but also for our entire community.”
“U.S. Vets and Diageo share a common commitment to helping our country’s veterans, and ensuring their futures are bright,” said Tom Mitchell, Executive Director of U.S. Vets Houston. “We hope that more corporations will recognize the importance of veteran’s affairs, and follow Diageo’s example.”
The Houston LSFL course complements a successful program launched last year at Diageo’s North American headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. The Norwalk program boasts a
98% graduation rate, with 82% of participants placed in jobs upon graduation.
The programs in North America are based on similar programs funded by Diageo throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, and South Africa, and represent Diageo’s continued dedication to offering underserved individuals the opportunity to gain employment and positively contribute to their communities. These programs operate under the global umbrella of “Learning for Life” and include 90 initiatives in 35 countries. In F15 alone the global programs collectively provided life and job skills to 7417 participants, and since its inception in 2008, Learning for Life has trained nearly 110,000 graduates.
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, Bulleit and Buchanan’s 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 (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
