200 students trained under this initiative at SCPwD-affiliated centres in Noida and Bengaluru.
NOIDA (India CSR): Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd.), a leader in the alco-bev industry, has partnered with the Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) to empower over 300 students in Food & Beverage Services under its ‘Learning for Life’ program in FY 2024, the company informed.
At a convocation ceremony held in Noida, 85 students celebrated their successful completion of the program in the presence of Devashish Dasgupta, Director, Corporate Relations, Diageo India, Ravindra Singh, CEO, SCPwD, and senior leaders from industry giants like Hotel Crown Plaza, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Godrej Properties, company said.
Expanding Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
In 2023, Diageo India expanded its ‘Learning for Life’ program to include Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), equipping them with skills for roles in the Business and Hospitality sectors. The three-month residential training, conducted at SCPwD-affiliated centres in Noida and Bengaluru, provides comprehensive instruction by certified trainers. To date, 200 students have successfully completed the program, laying a strong foundation for their professional journeys in the hospitality sector.
Holistic Training for Career Readiness
The curriculum includes training in Food and Beverage Services, Interpersonal Skills, Employability Skills, and Communication Skills, ensuring participants are well-prepared for the demands of the hospitality industry. Graduates have already been placed with SCPwD’s renowned placement partners, including Accor Hotels, Godrej Properties, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Hilton Hotels India, fostering a more inclusive workforce in the hospitality sector, company said.
Driving Inclusion and Diversity
Devashish Dasgupta, Director, Corporate Relations, Diageo India, remarked, “Our partnership with SCPwD underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity through skill development. The ‘Learning for Life’ program equips PwDs with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the hospitality sector. Together with SCPwD and our placement partners, we’re creating a more representative and equitable industry.”
Breaking Barriers to Employment
Ravindra Singh, CEO of SCPwD, added, “Diageo India’s leadership in promoting inclusion and diversity sets a benchmark for others. Together, we are not just creating job opportunities but also dismantling barriers that have historically restricted PwDs from accessing mainstream employment.”
A Beneficiary’s Journey
Program beneficiary Rohit Rana shared, “For years, I doubted whether someone like me could secure a regular job. The ‘Learning for Life’ program changed everything, giving me the training and confidence I needed. Today, I’m ready to join the hospitality industry with hope for a bright future.”
(India CSR)
