By Andy Young
For the past 12 months Diageo Australia has been working with social enterprise group Mazi Mas, providing skills training and experience for migrant, refugee and asylum seeker women in the hospitality industry.
Today the spirits producer has released a film promoting its Plan W partnership with Mazi Mas, which outlines Diageo's role in assisting the group in hosting a series of projects.
The projects aim to help women from migrant and refugee backgrounds gain an independent income in Sydney, develop hospitality skills in a professional setting, reduce social isolation and preserve their recipes and diverse cultural heritages.
Corporate relations and legal director, Kylie McPherson said the training offers the women a chance to adopt new skills to aid them in finding employment in the hospitality industry.
“Diageo is committed to empowering women in the hospitality industry through Plan W. Mazi Mas provides a great opportunity to up-skill women in hospitality, as well as introduce them to the bartending industry and the spirits category in Australia,” McPherson said.
Diageo's support helps Mazi Mas provide the women with foundation bar skills via Diageo Bar Academy’s Essentials program. The support also helps the participants to obtain their Responsible Service of Alcohol and Food Safety Supervisor certificates, as well as providing DRINKiQ training, to help develop responsible drinking ambassadors in the hospitality community.
In the film, Mazí Mas Co-Founder, Michelle Freer said: "Diageo have been with us from day one, which has been a huge support."
Program participant Sara added: "The best thing about the program is that it has given me the exposure to do something I can’t do on my own. It has helped me in getting my job. It’s my first job here in two years."