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WSET Celebrates 40 Years of Wine and Spirits Education in Canada

01/02/2017
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WSET is pleased to announce that 2017 marks 40 years of WSET education and qualifications in Canada, its first international venture.

In January 1977, International Wine Education Guild (IWEG) became the first international Approved Programme Provider (APP) for WSET, outside of its UK home. Ten years later, IWEG built on this success by becoming the first international APP to offer the prestigious WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits in 1987. In 2010, IWEG was awarded the WSET “Lifetime Achievement Award” for spearheading wine and spirits education in Canada.

WSET now has 33 APPs in Canada offering the full spectrum of WSET qualifications.

“IWEG partnered with WSET for our first step into an international market, and their dedication to providing quality wine and spirits education through our courses has been exemplary for 40 years strong. Through our commitment to offer education where it is in demand, over that time we have welcomed a further 32 APPs in Canada and over 600 across the world, making WSET the largest global provider of qualifications in the field of wines, spirits and sake.” said Ian Harris, Chief Executive, WSET.

To mark this significant milestone, IWEG is planning a yearlong student-focused program including special 40th anniversary master classes, new student scholarship opportunities and a celebratory gala for IWEG students, alumni and industry partners.

"We are excited to celebrate 40 years of helping our students achieve their personal and professional goals through our student-focused approach to wine, spirits and sake education in Canada and to celebrate our 40 years of strategic partnership with WSET,” said Paul Miles, Executive Director of IWEG. “We are especially pleased to be marking this anniversary year with the launch of several new initiatives, culminating in a celebratory gala that will showcase the achievements of our students and alumni in partnership with our valued industry partners.”