Diageo links with Prince’s Trust for Scotch scheme

Diageo has teamed up with youth employment charity The Prince’s Trust to deliver a new whisky retail training scheme.

Daljit Singh, head of private sector relationships at the Prince’s Trust; Peter Lederer, chairman of Diageo Scotland and Susan Morrison, general manager of The Scotch Whisky Experience join forces to launch the new Whisky Retail Initiative.

Created for young people in and around the city of Edinburgh, the course will be delivered by the Scotch Whisky Experience and will take place for four weeks.

Young participants aged 18 or over will receive an introduction to the Scotch whisky industry and it is hoped the scheme will equip them with the skills and knowledge to work in the Scotch whisky retail industry.

They will receive education covering whisky heritage and production, service standards, working with tourists, the retail environment, CV and interview skills, responsible drinking and licensing laws.

Diageo’s involvement in the programme is part of the drinks group’s “Learning for Life” initiative, which aims to provide young, unemployed people with skills. It is also part of The Prince’s Trust’s “Get into…” employment courses across Scotland.

“Supporting Scotland’s specialist independent whisky retailers with highly trained and knowledgeable staff whilst providing employment opportunities for young people is the perfect match,” said Peter Lederer, chairman of Diageo Scotland.

“Diageo’s Learning for Life programmes are all about providing valuable technical training, work based experiences, and opening the door to a wide range of exciting career opportunities for young people, which this course will provide.”