The first batch of 35 graduates in the Diageo Learning For Life Project Bartender emerged on Wednesday, November 5, victorious in their pursuit of the NVQJ Level Two field of studies in the area of bartending.

Twenty-eight members of the inaugural class are now certified NVQJ Level Two bartenders, while the remaining seven received certificates of participation.

The programme, spearheaded by Red Stripe, of the Diageo group, through its partnership with HEART Trust/NTA, was structured to provide the participants with a comprehensive course of training in bartending, computer competency, English language and Spanish, mathematics, conflict resolution, life skills, personal development, responsible drinking and serving among other areas.

After four months in a simulated class room/bar service environment at Vibes, (The Red Stripe company sports club at its Spanish Town Road plant), the 2008 participants were then placed on trade outlets across Kingston for two months of on-the-job experience.

At the ceremony held at Liguanea Club, the graduates happily accepted their reward for six months of intensive training and many openly declared that this was their first graduation ever.

Valedictorian, Terrence Williams, said, "We are now standing on the threshold of the real world not just our small inner-city communities. From now on, no one can only label us as an 'inner-city' youth, but we will be known for our accomplishments and strides made because of exposure gained in this course."