Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar T.D. presented participants of the Diageo Ireland ‘Learning for Life’ programme with certificates in a special graduation ceremony that took place at St. James’s Gate, Dublin yesterday (October 19).
Learning for Life is a Diageo Ireland initiative that equips the long term unemployed with the skills and experience needed to find work in the hospitality industry. The programme is run in partnership with the Department of Social Protection and aims to equip young people with hospitality industry skills. Since 2014, 65% of the young people who have participated in the programme have gone on to full time employment or education.
Speaking at the event, Minister Leo Varadkar said, “I want to extend my congratulations to the trainees here today and celebrate their achievements [...] A key element of the Department’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment is to work with industry partners to identify work and training opportunities for jobseekers, and to help employers with their recruitment needs. It is a good to be here and see the initiatives delivering for them.”
Oliver Loomes, Country Director of Diageo Ireland, said, “The Learning for Life programme is all about supporting local communities and local industry with a view to the long term. Diageo know well the importance of Ireland’s hospitality industry and that it offers many long term opportunities for young people with the right skills, determination and personality.
“I would like to thank Minister Varadkar for his support and that of his Department, who have been the primary partner in Learning for Life from the outset and have guided our graduates along the way.”
Participants from Dublin, Waterford and Louth gathered for the ceremony, alongside representatives from those counties’ Education and Training Boards and some of the 70 industry partners who have been involved with the initiative.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Donncha Mac Cóil
