Magners Irish Cider, Celtic FC Foundation and the Tennent’s Training Academy have announced that the Magners Employability Programme is back for a fourth year, with applications opening on Monday 3rd September.
The project, which aims to help unemployed people into work in the hospitality industry, will this year focus on bar skills, from learning how to pour the perfect pint, to becoming a whisky aficionado.
Targeted at people who want to gain experience working behind the bar, the programme will see 12 successful applicants head to the state of the art bar school at Tennent’s Training Academy. The programme will run from 12th September until 9th November, with a graduation celebration taking place on 16th November.
Mixologists in the making who are interested in applying can find out more at magners.co.uk/celticfoundation or can attend an open day at Celtic Park on Monday 3rd September from 10am-12.30pm.
The Magners Employability programme has helped 37 participants gain employment in the hospitality sector or move into further education since it began in 2015 and is able to return for a fourth year thanks to a £20,000 donation from Magners.
During the 10-week programme, apprentices will cover the basics of bartending, with classes in Customer & Drinks Service, Professional Cocktail Skills, Barista Skills and a Whisky Masterclass. By the end of the programme, graduates will have gained a total of three qualifications, and will be offered employment by some of the biggest business names in hospitality.
Delivered by the award-winning Tennent’s Training Academy and supported by Celtic FC Foundation throughout, the Magners Employability Programme encourages participants into work.
Successful applicants will be encouraged to get involved in a mix of work experience, certified industry training and recruitment days, talks with motivational speakers, and sessions covering; skills, qualities, job searching, CVs, application forms, interview techniques and work ethic. The aim of the project is to enable participants to use their new-found skills and experience to secure employment, voluntary work or further training.
George Kyle, Head of Sponsorship for Magners, said: “The Magners Employability Programme has helped close to 40 people learn new skills and get into work since we began the initiative with Celtic FC Foundation and The Tennents Training Academy, four years ago. The skills and confidence gained throughout these sessions are incredibly valuable assets to everyone who gets involved. We are delighted to be able to facilitate this training once again via our donation of £20,000. I enjoy hearing the success stories of our past participants and look forward to seeing what this year’s intake will go on to achieve.”
Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive at Celtic FC Foundation, added: “We are thrilled to team up once more with Magners and the Tennent’s Training Academy for what has been an incredibly successful and rewarding few years. Since the programme began in 2015, Celtic FC Foundation has been committed to helping people to learn the vital skills required to find employment, and this year is no exception. I am looking forward to meeting this year’s intake and would encourage anyone considering entering the bar trade to sign up.”