Bacardi and the Department of Workforce Development have returned with another edition of their professional bartender training programme for unemployed young adults.

They are accepting applications for cohort two of Shake Your Future in Bermuda.

The number of available spots has risen from seven to ten, and participants will be sent to London in March as part of the training.

Those interested can search “Shake Your Future” on the Bermuda Job Board site, with applications closing on December 1.

The company said it is in response to the growing demand for trained bartenders and other hospitality professionals in Bermuda that they welcome those who seek the skills and training necessary to embark on a career as a professional mixologist.

Bacardi said it wants to train 10,000 young adults worldwide by 2030.

The first cohort launched in Bermuda in February, attracted 134 applicants, of whom seven were chosen for the transformative ten-week journey.

It includes four intensive weeks of training at the European Bartending School in London, working towards an international bartender certification.

It also can lead to full-time employment upon programme completion.

Douglas Mello, Bacardi Limited managing director, stated that bartenders are the backbone of the company industry.

He said: “All graduates from our inaugural Bermuda class are working full-time in the hospitality industry, and one of them, Kierra Lee, recently became the first female and youngest winner of the Taste of Bermuda Bartending Competition.

“These young individuals have been motivated and empowered to achieve success in their careers, serving as an inspiration to us all, further reinforcing our commitment to foster job opportunities within Bermuda’s hospitality industry.”

Bacardi said: “In today's evolving job market, the hospitality sector in Bermuda is faced with the challenge of rebuilding its talent pipeline across the industry.

“The latest data from the 2022 Labour Force Survey Report underscores the persisting issue of unemployment in Bermuda, with a particular focus on the youth and the Black community.

“As residents actively seek pathways to enhance their skills and become competitive in the job market, Bacardi and the Department of Workforce Development are taking proactive measures to generate opportunities for individuals pursuing a fulfilling career in hospitality.”

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour said: “Shake Your Future is a powerful programme, providing comprehensive instruction in mixology theory, free pour techniques, flair bartending and live bar management, empowering individuals with the tools they need to succeed as a professional mixologist.”