Diageo extends its Learning for Life programme on 2014 success and adds green space to Dublin 8
Diageo extends its Learning for Life programme on 2014 success
Diageo has extended its Learning for Life ’s Learning for Life programme to a second area of Dublin, and into Dundalk and also Belfast in 2015. Learning for Life is all about empowering young people and finding sustainable solutions to youth unemployment. Participants take part in a seven week training programme and then embark on a 4 week work experience in a partner organisation in the tourism and hospitality industry. Last year was the first year of the programme which began in Dublin only.
Dublin:
Diageo has two programmes running in Dublin this year. Dublin 8 programme commenced 2nd February and the Dublin 1 programme commenced on 9th February. Both groups are participating fully in the training with great enthusiasm.
Dundalk:
On 16th February Diageo launched the programme at a media event in Dundalk. Dundalk IT will deliver and accredit the training. There was a great turn out yesterday with representatives from the local economic forum, government agencies, Dept. of Social Protection and education providers. Diageo has a strong relationship with the town from the Harp brewery and that Diageo wanted to continue that in an appropriate way through Learning for Life.
Belfast:
On 2nd March the Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster launched Learning for Life at an event in Belfast. The programme, which will be accredited by City and Guilds and delivered by Belfast Met, will help 20 individuals to develop their skills over a 16 week course involving off-site work experience.
Overall the programme which initially began with sixteen participants has grown to now 70 participants – that’s 70 unemployed individuals who will have completed the training by this summer. Diageo will be holding graduation events for the four programmes.
Pictured at the launch of 16th Feb L-R, Angela Smith Head of CSR Diageo, Mark Brennan Skillnet, Denis Cummins President Dundalk IT, Anne Keeley Dept. of Social Protection, Andrew Griffith Chairperson Dundalk It and Aidan Crowe Operations Director Diageo.
Diageo promotes staff wellbeing with Grow it Yourself Garden
As part of its ongoing programme to engage staff to create opportunities for wellness and to introduce a little more green space to Dublin 8, Diageo has developed a Grow it Yourself garden for staff in St. James’s Gate.
GIY was one of the first recipients of an Arthur Guinness Fund Award in 2009 and Diageo was the first company in Ireland to create a GIY garden. GIY have a website to promote its activities and provides lots of information to people about growing your own vegetables. Here is a flavour of what you can find http://www.giyinternational.org//growers_calendar
Paul Armstrong thanked the many teams involved in the creation of the garden—Tim Holmes and Angela Smith for their promotion of the scheme, Neil Storey who project managed the garden, EES, Mitie and Facilities for their efforts and of course the employee volunteers who in turn planted the first seeds.
David Smith noted “Diageo grows people, brands and now food! The great benefits you get from growing your own produce and the awareness of where your food actually comes from is invaluable. This garden is still a bit of a secret so we all need to spread the word and to bring work colleagues into the garden where we can see it flourish in the years to come!”
Pictured L-R: Paul Armstrong, Supply Director ISC Brewing, Tim Holmes, Michael Kelly, GIY’s CEO and David Smith, Country Director of Diageo Ireland
To find out more contact Angela.Smith@diageo.com
