Press release: Diageo commits to major new partnership with Springboard and the Prince’s Trust and to tackle training and recruitment challenges in UK hospitality

Global drinks company Diageo has announced a major new three-year partnership with Springboard and The Prince’s Trust to help tackle training and recruitment challenges in the UK hospitality industry.

This unique partnership brings two of the country’s most experienced charities to address the chronic skills shortages facing the hospitality sector today, as UKHospitality figures show that there are 400,000 vacancies across the hospitality sector and a further 100,000 staff absences, meaning that day-to-day the industry is missing half a million workers; more than 20% of the workforce.[1]

Together, Springboard and The Prince’s Trust support people of all ages and backgrounds into work and identifying the skill-sets needed to succeed in a career in hospitality. Drawing upon their combined knowledge of the sector, both charities will run Diageo’s award-winning Learning for Life programme for the next three years, to drive recruitment in the sector and support the long-term prosperity of this iconic industry.

Diageo’s Learning for Life programme, which began in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2008 and has since expanded across the globe, provides vital training and experience and a route into the hospitality sector for adults. The Learning for Life programme in the UK will now be delivered through five different models, providing the agility and flexibility to best meet the needs of both the hospitality industry and the people the programme supports.

Gillian Dalziel, Learning for Life Programme Manager for Diageo in the UK, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Springboard and The Prince’s Trust to deliver a meaningful partnership that is aligned to our culture at Diageo. The hospitality industry continues to face unprecedented challenges and many communities are struggling when it comes to recruitment.”

“At Diageo we aim to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes and Learning for Life plays a vital role in giving young people the opportunity to kickstart a career in such a vibrant industry. We are excited to be relaunching the programme with laser focused courses that directly support participants no matter where they are on their journey to employment.”

Springboard has been the lead UK delivery partner for Diageo Learning for Life since 2014 and, to date, 5,374 people have participated in the programme over 362 courses. The hospitality charity has been reappointed to deliver Learning for Life across the UK in a new three-year contract which includes a partnership with The Princes Trust.

In addition to the award-winning six-week Bartending and Hospitality Course and recently introduced Hospitality Sprint programme, the new partnership will introduce three new delivery models to expand the reach, engagement, outcomes and legacy of Diageo Learning for Life.

Springboard CEO, Chris Gamm, commented: “Hospitality organisations up and down the country will be as delighted as we are to hear that our incredible partnership with Diageo is continuing for a further three years. Learning for Life plays such an important role in turning out skilled and qualified professionals into the industry, futureproofing the talent pipeline for hospitality.”

Springboard will also be working with The Princes Trust who will support the delivery of training with the youngest cohort of trainees.

Ben Marson, Director of Partnerships at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Springboard for the Diageo Learning for Life programme and believe that during this challenging time for the hospitality sector, we can bring together our collective strengths to support young people into meaningful work in the hospitality sector, and ultimately to build a better future for themselves.”

With a focus on adult education, Learning for Life in the UK has traditionally focused on offering opportunities to young unemployed people, with skills programmes covering key areas within the hospitality industry implemented in partnership with local educational, governmental, and training organisations.

To find out more about Diageo Learning for Life and upcoming courses, please visit: https://springboard.uk.net/diageo-l4l/

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[1] https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/news/news.asp?id=595342&hhSearchTerms=%2240%22