DIAGEO has celebrated a major milestone in its global Learning for Life training programme.
A landmark 100,000 people have participated in the programme, which teaches employment and life skills to young, unemployed people, over the past six years.
The company is investing £5 million in the Scottish arm of the initiative, which launched earlier this year.
More than two hundred young unemployed people in Scotland have gained training and job opportunities since the programme was launched in January.
Scottish graduates of the scheme met Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael at the Scotland Office in Whitehall to celebrate the occasion.
Congratulating Diageo on the project Carmichael said: “The drinks industry is a job creator in the UK and one of our export success stories.
“With the UK’s large domestic market and our extensive global trade and consular network we will continue to give it the support it needs to flourish.”
Diageo has also announced plans to take the Learning for Life project to London for the first time.
Peter O’Brien, corporate relations director, Diageo Western Europe, said: “As a British company we are delighted to see Learning for Life making a difference in the UK.
“The programme has seen great success in Scotland with our graduates working at the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
“We’re excited to now bring the initiative to our home city and in the New Year we will launch our first programme in London.”
