The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC to offer skills training for 200 young hospitality professionals under the Learning for Life program.

This initiative is to help create more jobs and help in doing business the right way, amid commitment to championing diversity, and to create an inclusive and thriving tourism industry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy CEO of YEA, Bashiru Ibrahim said Guinness Ghana as a private institution, has impacted lives over the past 50 to 60 years, thus its Learning for Life program is an added advantage to their portfolio of the many things they have in stock for youth development.

According to him, the YEA has the mandate to facilitate and coordinate employment of the youth of the country, giving skills training, life changing opportunities and making the young person stay on the job for a long time.

This, he said, they have achieved as the YEA is partnering African Industrial Solution to train over 20,000 young people in so many job areas.

Alhaji Ibrahim said the YEA has also partnered the National Insurance Commission (NIC) to assist young people by training over 6,000 young people.

“The YEA through other agencies has trained over10,000 artisans. As we speak, in the next two weeks, the Vice President will be announcing some skills training for Kayayes.

“Over 5000 kayayes will be trained in baking, pedicure and manicure, among others. This is an initiative under the YEA job creation strategies,” he noted.

He lauded Guinness Ghana PLC for the Learning for Life program and believes that the 200 beneficiaries would acquire skills that can build them for employment not only in Ghana, but in any part of Africa.

Alhaji Bashiru Ibrahim said, “the program is not tailored towards the Ghanaian market alone but skills that are global, thereby enabling the beneficiaries meet the standard and apply for the job anywhere across the world.”

He encouraged Guinness to roll out more training programs; assuring Guinness Ghana PLC of its readiness to partner them to implement the programs to change the lives of young people.

On her part, Felicity Nson, Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC (GGBPLC) said the company is committed to championing diversity, and creating an inclusive and thriving tourism industry.

She noted that, the company presents diversity as major part of their operations and they believe the most inclusive and diverse culture reflects their conservatives and makes way for better business.

“This is why the announcement today is exciting for us as it was the birth of our Learning for Life program in line with the spirit of progress and our missions towards working to provide skills and resources to employ over 1000 people,” she said.

According to Felicity Nson, Learning for Life started in Latin America in 2008 and since then their programs has reached more than 200,000 people.

The program is gender inclusive by design which means they put in place measures that reduce barriers to women accessing the skills resources and opportunity they provide.

She noted that they offer training and also make room for online and all different options in the program while allowing members of the society to take part.

The program is to provide individuals with the skills and training that they need to succeed.

“I believe that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and potential for achieving success. By investing in programs like this, we are investing in the future of our community and creating a brighter tomorrow.”

She urged all to embrace this opportunity with so much enthusiasm and dedication.

Tapatheo Amu Nyamekye, Head trainer at the Diageo Bar Academy said the ‘Learning for Life’ programme will give opportunities for skills developments.

“This ensures that progress of individuals and the community acceleration. I feel proud and inspired to be called upon to share our experiences and to give the useful skills training that can help build growth which is quite clear to our hearts.”