Diageo India Partners With The SCPwD To Train And Place Over 300 Students Under Its ‘Learning For Life’ Program

Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd.) among the country’s leading alco-bev companies has partnered with the Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD) to train and place over 300 students in Food & Beverage Services under the ‘Learning for Life' program. The convocation ceremony for the first batch of 22 students trained in the Bengaluru centre was held in the presence of Ms. Shilpa Vaid, Chief Human Resource Officer, Diageo India, Mr. Ravindra Singh CEO – SCPwD, Ms. Lizanne Pinto, Area Director of Human Resource, South & East India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Marriot International, Mr. Amlan Kumar Dasgupta Vice President – Skill Development, Royal Orchid and Regenta Hotel, and other senior leaders.

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 Delhi NCR (Noida) and Bengaluru by certified trainers and assessors. Students are trained in Food and Beverage Services, Interpersonal skills, Employability skills and Communication skills- this 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, Lemon Tree Hotel, Marriott Hotels India, Hotel Royal Orchid and Regenta, and QSR chains like La Pino’z Pizza and Compass Office Cafeterias, all of whom have come together to build a more inclusive hospitality industry.

Shilpa Vaid, Chief Human Resources Officer, Diageo India, said, “We're proud to strengthen our partnership with SCPwD, advancing inclusion in line with our Spirit of Progress ESG action plan. Our 'Learning for Life' program seeks to support Persons with Disabilities, equipping them with vital skills and resources, while opening doors to employment and opportunity. We’re keen to work collaboratively, shaping a hospitality sector that works for all.

Ravindra Singh, CEO of the Skill Council for Persons with Disability (SCPwD), 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, Ramya S, shared, "For the longest time, I wasn’t sure if someone like me could ever land 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.”

About SCPwD: SCPwD was incepted in October 2015 jointly by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Confederation of India Industry (CII) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), to fulfil the mission of mainstreaming ‘Persons with Disability’ (PwD).

About Diageo India: Diageo India is among India’s leading beverage alcohol (alcobev) companies with an outstanding portfolio of premium brands. A subsidiary of Diageo Plc., it is listed in India on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) as United Spirits Limited (USL).

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Diageo India has one of the largest manufacturing footprints in alcobev with 36 facilities across India. It manufactures, sells, and distributes Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, The Singleton, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No1, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and Godawan, an artisanal single malt whisky from India, bringing together global expertise and local pride to deliver innovative, world-class products and experiences to consumers. With a strong focus on driving a positive impact on society, Diageo India has been working on collective action to improve livelihoods, championing Grain to Glass sustainability, responsible consumption and nurturing the alcobev ecosystem, to contribute to India’s growth agenda. 

For more information about Diageo India, our people, our brands, and our performance, visit us at www.diageoindia.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.

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