The Instituto Técnico Superior Especializado (ITSE), the Consejo del Sector Privado para la Asistencia Educacional (COSPAE) and Diageo, the renowned global premium beverage company, celebrated the graduation of 80 students from the 2024 edition of the Learning for Life program in Panama.
The recognition ceremony, held on the ITSE campus, marked the end of an intensive training process where graduates acquired key skills to stand out in the cocktail and hospitality industry, highly competitive sectors in the country. Learning for Life has established itself as a benchmark in the training of professionals, providing its participants not only with technical knowledge, but also with the necessary tools to excel in the labor market.
“We are extremely proud of the achievements of the students, who represent the future of the hospitality industry in Panama. At Diageo, we firmly believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all,” said Giuliana Venutolo, Reputation Manager for Diageo Central America and the Caribbean.
This edition also stood out for its significant female participation, with 43% of graduates being women. “Having so many women in this edition of Learning for Life is a clear reflection of our commitment to promoting diversity and strengthening female leadership at all levels of the industry,” said the executive.
For her part, Dr. Milena Gómez Cedeño, ITSE’s Educational Manager, “congratulated the 80 graduating students for their effort, dedication and passion for learning, which have yielded tangible results. She underlined the importance of the inclusive approach, evidenced by a female participation of almost 50%, which is a testament to the equal opportunities that Learning for Life promotes.”
Since its creation in 2008, Learning for Life has benefited more than 1,000 students in Panama from vulnerable backgrounds. This free-access program offers technical training, personal development and formal employment opportunities, thus transforming the lives of its participants.
In addition to bartending training, students participate in professional internships in bars and restaurants, and receive guidance from volunteers from Diageo and partner NGOs who collaborate in key areas for their professional development.
For Dr. Oscar León, Secretary of the Board of Directors of COSPAE, the program contributes to the development of a more qualified workforce committed to the future of Panama. “Through our collaboration with Learning for Life, we have seen how education opens doors and breaks down barriers for many young people who otherwise would not have had access to these opportunities.”
At the end of the event, the premium beverage company gave the graduates an apron made by the 17 women from the “Fuerza entre Costuras” program, an initiative supported by the private sector and various NGOs, which aims to provide job opportunities to women in vulnerable situations, helping them improve their living conditions through decent work.
