Seven participants in Bacardi Limited’s Shake Your Future professional bartending programme have returned from a four-week training stint in London, and are set to begin work-placement opportunities with bars and restaurants on the island.

Intensive training at the European Bartending School is one element of the initiative, a free programme for unemployed young adults launched by Bacardi in February in partnership with the Government's Department of Workforce Development — and available in Bermuda for the first time.

Travellers to the school in London received comprehensive instruction in mixology theory, free pour techniques, flair bartending and live bar management.

The programme, which spans ten weeks, also includes personal branding and marketing workshops.

“Shake Your Future is a truly transformative programme, and we congratulate the group of young adults who have participated in this inaugural offering,” said Douglas Mello, Bacardi Limited managing director.

“We are excited to support them through this next phase and remain committed to creating opportunities for unemployed individuals who are seeking fulfilling careers in the hospitality sector.

“There is a growing demand for talented and qualified professionals in Bermuda who can deliver exceptional services to our partners and customers, and we are excited to help build a vibrant and inclusive hospitality industry that benefits all."

Shake Your Future was created by Bacardi in 2018 and has launched in Italy, France, India, South Africa and other markets.

Globally, 80 per cent of graduates have secured successful careers in the hospitality industry, Bacardi said.

The company said the programme comes at a critical time for Bermuda's young people, with unemployment rates increasing from 18 per cent to 32 per cent among young adults as reported by the 2020 Labour Force Survey.

Furthermore, with new hotels opening on the island and a growing demand for skilled hospitality workers, the programme represents a vital investment in the future of Bermuda's young workforce, Bacardi said.

By providing participants with valuable skills, hands-on experience and industry connections, the company said, Shake Your Future is helping to equip a new generation of hospitality professionals with the tools they need to succeed in this dynamic industry.

“I congratulate all participants for completing the first half of the Bacardi Shake Your Future programme! Thus far, this excellent opportunity has allowed a select group of young adults to travel overseas and attend a world-leading bartending school to obtain the skills necessary for a successful bartending career,” said Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour.

“This opportunity would not be possible without Bacardi Limited and the Department of Workforce Development working together to support the development and training of young Bermudians, placing them on the path to success.

“I thank all those involved for their dedication and commitment to our youth.”