Sonja Allen from the Ministry of Health is sticking to the point she's making to Dr Waine Kong from the Heart Institute. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

This programme is more than just about pouring drinks. The Diageo Learning For Life (DL4L) Project Bartender offers young persons (between 18 and 24 to be exact) the chance to receive skills training for the ever-growing hospitality industry.

Belying its name, the students will not only turn out to be bartenders, but will take up positions in various nooks of the hospitality sector. The DL4L programme was launched on Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Project Bartender started in Brazil eight years ago and 1,000 students have graduated. Besides the benefits to the hospitality sector, Project Bartender keeps the individuals positively occupied (as opposed to idling), gives those who don't have the resources to study a chance to excel, and promotes greater awareness of responsible drinking.

In Jamaica, Diageo (through Red Stripe Jamaica), will partner with HEART Trust/NTA to provide the training. The 25 participants in the inaugural project started the four-month programme on May 5 and, on completion, will be officially certified and have the marketable skills and competency to work in the hospitality sector.

Guests out included: Basil Smith, Aloun Assamba, Nicola Madden-Greig, Wyvolyn Gager, Tony Ray, Prof Carolyn Cooper, Dr Leahcim Semaj, Sandra Shirley, Lloyd Stanbury, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, Fae Ellington, Dell and Darcy Crooks, Noel and Jackie DaCosta, Claudette Powell, Michael Collins, Robertha White, Denise Hunt, Andrea Whyte, Brian Chung, Sean Lyn and Carlos MaxBrown.

Adding a little heat to the chilly evening, the 'fireman' lit up proceedings with his display. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

David Shields (right) jokes with Dell Crooks while Zachary Harding looks on, at the Red Stripe cocktail launch of Diageo Learning For Life (DL4L) at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Tuesday.

Assistant brand manager of Guinness, Joseph Oates, is in a mello mood with these Red Stripe women (from left) Kaysia Johnson, Frederique Asberg, country manager of Heineken, Tannisha Miranda and Keri-Ann McKenzie.

Seems to be 'beer' talk among these three national distribution managers for Red Stripe. André Chin Tai (centre) meets up with International Beer Supplies representatives Johnathan White (left) and Michael Grayer.