Red Stripe will train 1000 Bartenders through programme endorsed by HEART Trust NTA

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A Red Stripe initiative that will provide training for approximately 1,000 bartenders has been endorsed by the HEART Trust National Training Agency. The Certified Bar Programme, launched at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Monday, will work in tandem with Red Stripe’s Learning For Life Programme, which has already trained more than 11,500 young people since 2008. “We applaud Red Stripe for its continued efforts to improve the lives of Jamaicans through skills training,” said HEART Trust Senior Director Kevin Mullings. Funded by the Desnoes and Geddes Foundation, the training will be conducted by HEART and administered across commercial outlets islandwide.

Addressing bar owners at the launch, Red Stripe’s Managing Director Ricardo Nuncio said the programme was part of a strategic plan to boost the capacity of small community bars which contribute to the company’s success. “Quality service and competitive pricing are proven growth drivers for your business. And when you grow, we grow. So we see this programme as an important step to help you better engage consumers so you can expand your business,” said Nuncio.

Making the connection with Red Stripe’s growth strategy, the managing director pointed to the increase in the use of local raw materials and the company’s plans to boost local production. “We already have five per cent cassava starch in the Red Stripe you enjoy today, and we’ll move that to 10 per cent by the end of this year,” Nuncio explained. In addition to the training, bar owners will get sub-zero freezers and other commercial benefits under the Certified Bar Programme.

“Red Stripe is amazing. We’re very excited about this new programme. It’s so good to know that the company is helping us to get certified and at the same time, working with us to grow our businesses,” said Latoya Stewart of Cool World Lounge in Kingston.

About 90 per cent of the more than 200 bar owners feted at the event signed up for the Certified Bar Programme, which also includes a loyalty rewards programme. Certified bars will earn points each month for exhibiting winning behaviours that include selling beer at the right temperature and the right price. Points earned can be redeemed for JPS pre-paid vouchers, flat screen TVs, washing machines, and other appliances. Red Stripe plans to have similar registration exercises in other locations across the island in the coming months.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/1-000-bartenders-to-be-trained-through-Red-Stripe-programme