Diageo India (United Spirits), the alco-bev company, has tied up with TSL Foundation, a new-age CSR consultancy and execution organisation, to train 200 young women under its ‘Learning for Life’ programme, at its training centre in Bhondsi, Gurgaon.
The training programme will be conducted in collaboration with the Government of Haryana to build awareness to upskill and empower young women. The initiative is in line with Diageo India’s commitment to championing inclusion and diversity, a key pillar of Diageo’s ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ goals.
According to Gaurav Singh, additional CEO, Haryana State CSR Trust, Government of Haryana, “This Skill Development Centre will be a blessing for our young women, offering essential skills to thrive in major institutions.” Singh believes that the initiative will benefit “aspiring professionals who lack access to foundational training.” The centre may soon be expanded to provide invaluable training and placement support from industry leaders such as Ramada and Radisson. The initiative, as Singh rightly expressed, extends the spirit of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ to ‘Beti ko Samriddh Banao’.
Navdeep Singh Mehram, VP-CSR & sustainability, Diageo India, revealed that “the partnership with TSL Foundation is driven by a common goal to create a diverse workforce in the hospitality sector.” The aim is “to empower 200 young women with the skills to become self-reliant, thereby contributing to the economic development of the country. This initiative underscores our commitment to expanding the reach of our ‘Learning for Life’ programme and bolstering livelihood capabilities for individuals from under-represented communities.”
Apoorva Sharma, director-TSL Foundation, said, “In collaboration with the Government of Haryana we will educate and raise awareness on upskilling young women and supporting a thriving hospitality sector. Post completion of the programme, we will offer support for internships and employment opportunities.”
The two-month long training programme will include theory classes, on-the-job training and simulations in front office setup at the training centre. There will also be activity-based learning, projects and periodic assessments, guest faculty lectures and interview preparation sessions for successful placements. Students will receive National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) or equivalent government certification post completion of the programme and meeting the assessment criteria.