Diageo Ireland – Supporting local community employment & education
Year
2014
CR Pillar
Community
CR Topic
Corporate Community Partnerships – Education and Training
Company Description
Diageo is one of Ireland’s leading premium drinks companies with a long and proud tradition of commercial success and community involvement. Through our iconic brands, Guinness, Bushmills and Smithwick’s we can trace our roots in Ireland back over 300 years. Diageo Ireland employs approximately 1500 people in operations around Ireland. In addition, up to 18,900 jobs are supported indirectly by the company.
Business Issue
Sustainability is the principle that underpins all Diageo’s activities. We seek to continually invest in a sustainable business, in the goals of operating in an environmentally sustainable way and supporting a sustainable society and community.
The company set the objective of supporting local community employment and development by aiding study and supporting third level education in the surrounding area.
Solution Applied
To support our goal of community investment, Diageo Ireland awards scholarships to aspiring students from six local secondary schools starting third level education. This programme, now in its 25th year, awards students with laptops to aid them with their study. The students are chosen through a selection process undertaken by a panel of career guidance teachers from partner local secondary schools. It has always been our policy to remain outside this selection process to ensure objectivity.
In 1990, the scheme was extended to include awarding two mature students returning to education and residing in the Dublin 8 area. These mature students are chosen by process of interview undertaken by Diageo HR and the Scholarship Co-ordinator. The successful candidates receive a monetary award to assist them with the first year of their third level course.
Business Benefits
These schemes are designed to support employment in its local community. Diageo Ireland seeks to continue the same legacy of longstanding community investment and philanthropic traditions of the Arthur Guinness family by undertaking these scholarships.
The Guinness Brewery Scholarship is prized amongst students – there is great pride in being a recipient of the scholarship, both for the individual and their families. The brewery has always given high profile to the presentation dinner with successive Operations Directors in Dublin Brewery, acting as chief hosts and taking a personal interest in the scheme.
Stakeholder Benefits
According to Paul B Armstrong, Diageo Supply Brewing Director,
“Diageo is proud to follow in the philanthropic footsteps of Arthur Guinness and continue the proud St. James Gate legacy of investing in the local community over the last 250 years.
In the last 24 years alone, the Guinness Brewery Scholarships has provided vital support to those who aspire to third level education from the Dublin 8 area. This inspirational programme was devised as a means of providing resources to help contribute to education in the locality. I would like to congratulate all the students awarded and thank the local teachers involved in the programme. The determination and enthusiasm of the teachers from the partner schools continues to be vital to the overall success of the scheme.”
Tip
Establishment of good communication with teachers from partner schools is key to the overall success of the Scholarship scheme.
Department Involved
St James’s Gate Brewery
Solution Champion
Brenda O’Callaghan, brenda.ocallaghan@diageo.com
