Empowering the Future of South Africa and Mozambique's Tourism Industry through Learning for Life

14 Jun 2024 AfricaSouth AfricaSustainabilityInclusion and diversityESG
Empowering the Future of South Africa and Mozambique's Tourism Industry through Learning for Life

Diageo’s Learning for Life programme trained 485 participants in hospitality, showcasing its commitment to empowering young individuals by offering tailored training and mentorship aligned with their career aspirations.

Diageo’s Learning for Life programme trained 485 participants in hospitality, showcasing its commitment to empowering young individuals by offering tailored training and mentorship aligned with their career aspirations.

At the end of May 2024, 385 participants in South Africa and 100 participants in Mozambique have successfully graduated through Diageo’s partnership with Africa's leading Tourism and Hospitality school, the STH University of Johannesburg in South Africa, and Institute of Hospitality and Tourism under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Mozambique.

By collaborating with local educational institutions and industry experts, Diageo provided participants with hands-on training in hospitality, tourism, bartending, and customer service. Beyond technical skills, the programme encompasses essential professional skills like interview preparation and conflict resolution to ensure our graduates are workplace ready.

Diageo learning for life event

In South Africa, Diageo’s collaboration with the UJ School of Hospitality and Tourism resulted in over 485 participants being placed in various hospitality establishments nationwide. Speaking at the graduation, Professor Tembi Tichaawa, Director of the school, stated, "The Diageo Learning for Life programme is a game-changer, transforming the lives and careers of our future leaders. With nearly 500 interns, we have touched nearly 500 households with hope and opportunity. This collaboration shows the power of unity, innovation, and excellence in shaping the future of our industry. Together, we can break boundaries and inspire generations to come."

Andrew Ross, General Manager of Diageo Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, added, "By investing in the future generation, we hope to contribute towards reducing unemployment rates and promoting economic growth in communities where we operate. At Diageo, we firmly believe in the power of education and skills development to transform lives and communities. Our collaboration with the UJ School of Tourism and Hospitality is a testament to our commitment to creating a more sustainable and inclusive world."

Learning for life

In Mozambique, the Diageo team engaged with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ms. Edelvina Materula, before the graduation ceremony. Minister Materula deeply appreciated Diageo’s influential partnership, acknowledging its tangible impact and openly addressing current industry challenges. She praised the collaboration as a model for other businesses, highlighting the notable successes of the Learning for Life programme. Three candidates from last year’s cohort, from disadvantaged backgrounds, have now secured employment in Portugal. This achievement filled Minister Materula with immense pride, illustrating the transformative power of Diageo’s initiatives. She emphasized that this partnership is a testament to the positive outcomes of public and private sector collaborations in nurturing a vibrant hospitality industry.

In Mozambique, 53% of the total graduates (65% women) from this year’s cohort have secured permanent employment locally, with 80% of participants from last year’s cohort now permanently employed. In South Africa, a significant number of participants (70% women) have been absorbed into the industry, with many outlets expressing interest in employing Learning for Life graduates.

Learning for Life graduates

This programme is integral to Diageo’s sustainability plan, Spirit of Progress which aims to champion inclusion and diversity by enhancing the inclusion of underrepresented groups through community outreach.