Recently (20 June), the Government of Bermuda and Bacardi celebrated the graduation of eight talented young Bermudians from the Shake Your Future programme at an event held at Hamilton Princess.
In line with Bermuda's Youth Employment Strategy Goal number 4, ensuring young people receive relevant work experience to better prepare them for gainful employment, Shake Your Future is a proven success, with many of those completing the programme now enjoying full-time employment as bartenders in the hospitality industry.
The program continues offering young Bermudians training at the internationally recognised European Bar School and on-the-job experience, personal branding, and soft skills, allowing them to succeed in the hospitality industry and raising the standard for bartenders/mixologists.
The celebration recognised the following graduates from the program:
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Stevontae Somersall - Ahknaton
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Jahlae Raynor
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Dazhon Dillas
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Kenai Stowe
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James Jones - Tyrell
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Alvin-Ae Landy
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Precious Hayward-Evans
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Darreana Burchall
Reflecting on the event, the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, said, "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bacardi for their unwavering commitment to creating valuable training opportunities for our youth in the hospitality industry. This partnership, marked by significant investment from both the Government and Bacardi, highlights our collective dedication to empowering Bermuda's young people through transformative initiatives."
Says Douglas Mello, Bacardi Limited Managing Director, “We are immensely proud to celebrate the achievements of the second cohort of the Bacardi Shake Your Future program. These eight outstanding graduates have shown exceptional dedication and skill, mastering complex aspects of bartending and hospitality. This program not only opens professional doors for them but also enriches Bermuda's hospitality sector. We look forward to their continued success and innovation as they bring their new skills to the forefront of the industry.”
Group Photo L-R: Stevontae Somersall-Ahknaton, Kenai Stowe, Alvin-Ae Landy, Precious Hayward-Evans, Jahlae Raynor, Dazhon Dillas, James Jones-Tyrell, Darreana Burchall