– Empowering Women Through Education and Professional Development
MARGARET CHISANGA
Lusaka
DIAGEO on Wednesday announced a collaboration with WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) through which they launched WSET scholarship programme exclusively for women Zambia’s hospitality industry.
The WSET scholarship programme aims to empower women by providing them with the opportunity to advance their careers through world-class education and professional development.
The program will target 20 participants, offering them access to WSET qualifications, which are globally recognised in the wine, spirit, and hospitality sectors.
According to a statement, the courses are open to both industry professionals and interested enthusiasts who can take them across four levels, from one-day beginner to expert level diploma.
“Available in more than 15 languages and in over 70 countries, our qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry standard for knowledge. In the last academic year (2023/24) 134,000 candidates sat for a WSET qualification,” the statement read.
The partnership is made possible through WSET’s social impact programme, which aims to create positive impact through purposeful activity in the global drinks industry.
Mealyn Joyce, Senior Brand Ambassador for Zambia, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This is a transformative opportunity for women in Zambia’s hospitality industry. By equipping them with WSET qualifications, we are not only enhancing their skills but also opening doors to new career possibilities. Diageo is proud to champion women’s empowerment and contribute to their professional growth.”
Jose David, On-Trade Transformation Manager, added, “Education is a powerful tool for change, and this initiative reflects Diageo’s dedication to fostering inclusion and diversity. We believe that investing in women’s education will have a ripple effect, benefiting not only the individuals but also the broader hospitality industry in Zambia.”
Liam Scandrett, Senior APP Development Manager, WSET added, “We’re proud to collaborate with our long-term partner, Diageo, to provide drinks education and career opportunities for disadvantaged individuals around the world. We’re excited to see this group of women embark on the training programme and look forward to watching them develop their careers in hospitality.”
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer, and wine.
WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) is the global leader in drinks education. Founded in 1969, and recognised by the awarding body Ofqual, we have awarded over 1.5 million people with a qualification since our inception.
ENDS.
