Award-winning employability programme, Diageo Learning for Life, has launched on a new Virtual Hospitality Academy, created and delivered by The Springboard Charity, to ensure its hospitality training can continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy is open to new applicants who are looking to develop key skills in hospitality and improve their future employability, as well as over 2,000 individuals who have previously taken part in the Diageo Learning for Life programme across the UK.  More information on how to apply can be found here: https://springboard.uk.net/diageo-learning-for-life-virtual-academy/

With the majority of the UK hospitality sector currently not operational due to lockdown, the Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy aims to encourage those at home to improve their skills and earn new certificates, which will help them to be at the front line of the recovery process.

In a first for Diageo, the ground-breaking Learning for Life programme will be delivered fully online and includes over 40 online knowledge, skills and training modules and webinars specifically designed by Springboard to support, motivate and alleviate isolation for learners at this time. Guest speakers from the industry will also host online sessions and each student will receive access to dedicated one-to-one mentoring and coaching.

Jack, aged 19 from London, has been studying through the Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy. Jack said: “The online modules were very informative, and they will definitely help my performance when I get a job in the hospitality industry. The module that I found the most useful was definitely the Bartender module because that is the area of work I want to go into after I have completed the course.

“The information and videos provided were concise, easy to watch, and they have definitely helped keep my mind occupied during these tough times. I am looking forward to seeing how I progress once some sort of normality has been restored.”

Lucy Lamb, Programme Manager at Diageo Learning for Life, said “As the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop, we have halted our traditional classroom and work experience programme in line with government recommendations.

“With 900 individuals still actively involved in the programme across the UK, we had to move quickly to think of alternative ways to continue supporting them. Our partner, The Springboard Charity, has developed the excellent Virtual Hospitality Academy, which allows Diageo Learning for Life to continue supporting those in our communities by delivering online training modules, webinars and vital one-to-one careers advice and support.

“The Diageo Learning for Life programme provides students with a foundation in hospitality, which increases employability by developing key skills including customer service, teamwork, resilience and communication. We hope the Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy will encourage those at home to use the time to complete modules to build on their accomplishments, secure new qualifications and increase their employability ahead of the restart.”

Inga McVicar, National Head of Employability, The Springboard Charity, said “We’re very proud to launch our new Virtual Hospitality Academy, which will allow the Diageo Learning for Life programme to continue while the UK is on lockdown.

“Over 2,000 people have graduated from the programme since it launched in 2014. Now our graduates will be able to learn new skills from home, gain virtual one to one coaching, and be part of a virtual community, supporting and learning from each other. We’re also excited to extend our services to welcome new trainees, helping them to overcome their barriers to securing employment.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the hospitality sector, but it is important that we continue to provide crucial support services to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. When we emerge from this crisis, those we support will be equipped with new skills, knowledge and confidence, so that they are better able to secure employment”

The Diageo Learning for Life programme launched in the UK in 2014 and has supported over 2,000 unemployed people, globally the programme has supported over 140,000 individuals.

If you wanted to find out more about the Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy and how you can get involved visit: https://springboard.uk.net/diageo-learning-for-life-virtual-academy/