Diageo India supports PwDs in Noida with skills for the hospitality industry

Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd.) has partnered with the Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD) to train and place over 300 students in Food & Beverage Services under its ‘Learning for Life' program in FY 2024. The convocation ceremony for 85 students trained in the Noida centre was held in the presence of Devashish Dasgupta, director, Corporate Relations at Diageo India, Ravindra Singh, CEO, Skill Council for Persons with Disability and senior leaders from Hotel Crown Plaza, Sandal Suites by Lemon tree and Godrej Properties.

In 2023, Diageo India expanded its ‘Learning for Life’ programme to include Persons with Disability, preparing them for roles in the Business and Hospitality sector. The three-month long residential training program is conducted at SCPwD-affiliated training centres in Noida and Bengaluru, by certified trainers and assessors. So far, 200 students have successfully completed trainings across these centres, preparing them for promising careers in the hospitality sector. Students are trained in Food and Beverage Services, Interpersonal skills, Employability skills and Communication skills, which ensures they are equipped with the support needed to meet demands of the hospitality sector. Post completion of the program, students are employed by SCPwD’s placement partners including Accor Hotel, Godrej Properties, Lemon Tree Hotel, and Hilton Hotels India, all of whom have come together to build a more inclusive hospitality industry.

Dasgupta said on the occasion, “Our partnership with SCPwD reflects our commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering communities through skill development. The ‘Learning for Life’ program helps us create shared value by equipping Persons with Disabilities with the expertise needed to succeed in the hospitality sector. Together with SCPwD and our placement partners, we’re enabling the industry to become more representative and equitable for all.”

Singh added, “Diageo India’s leadership in driving inclusion and diversity sets an example for others to follow. Together, we are not just creating job opportunities but breaking down barriers that have previously limited Persons with Disabilities from gaining mainstream employment.”One of the program's beneficiaries, Rohit Rana stated, "For the longest time, I wasn’t sure if someone like me could ever secure a regular job. I worried about whether I had the right skills and how people would treat me at work. But the ‘Learning for Life’ program changed everything. It gave me the platform and the training I needed, and now I’m ready to join the hospitality industry with confidence and hopes for a bright future.”