The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and The Mixing Class, a leading independent provider of WSET spirits courses, have today launched a joint initiative to support Scottish hospitality workers during the current two-week lockdown.
The initiative will enable Scottish hospitality staff who have either lost their jobs or are suffering due to the current crisis to take an online WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, increasing their industry knowledge and skills for when they re-join the workforce. Working with Scottish hospitality employers, up to 90 bartenders, waiters or barbacks (aged over 18) will be able to sign-up to take the online course with The Mixing Class.
The first course runs from 21st - 22nd October and the second course from 26th - 27th October. Dates are still to be finalised for the final third course. Hannah Lanfear of The Mixing Class – Imbibe’s 2019 Educator of the Year - will be teaching the courses. All teaching will be via video conferencing but will be supplemented by samples allowing students to taste online together.
Max Ostwald and Hannah Lanfear of The Mixing Class
The initiative has been supported by generous donations from Diageo, The Morrison Foundation, Aberfeldy and John Dewar & Sons, The Whisky Exchange, Langley Distillery, Morrison Distillers, Chivas Bros and Gordon & MacPhail.
Liam Scandrett, WSET Business Development Manager EMEA Spirits, said: “This is a very hard time for the Scottish hospitality industry and, in particular, for service staff. By using the power of education, we hope that we can play our part in supporting this beleaguered sector through this difficult period, by upskilling hospitality staff with a globally recognised qualification.”
Max Ostwald of The Mixing Class added: "Nobody was prepared for the situation that the hospitality industry is facing. We want to do what we can, where we can to give people some hope and positivity during this stressful period. Educating people is what we do and we feel now, more than ever, people need that focus and feeling of personal growth."
To apply for a place, please contact your employer or, if you are not currently working, email max@themixingclass.com. All applications must be sent in by midnight on Saturday 17th October. Successful applicants will be notified on Monday 20th October.
To find out more about the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits click here.
