WSET has partnered with Sogrape and the Gérard Basset Foundation to successfully deliver our first scholarships for hospitality professionals in Angola. Over three days, 14 scholars took part in training tailored to the Angolan wine sector, culminating in our WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course.
The programme combined two days of preparation led by the Sogrape Wine Academy, which adapted the WSET methodology to the local context, and a final day dedicated to our Level 1 Award in Wines qualification. The initiative aims to equip local professionals with practical tools for career development and progression in the drinks and hospitality industries.
The hospitality, tourism and wine sectors in Angola continue to show increasing growth potential. Nowhere more so than the capital city of Luanda which was chosen as the location for the training programme. Each of the scholars were selected to take part for their experience in the sector and their motivation to deepen their knowledge in wines.
This pioneering initiative reflects WSET’s ongoing commitment to making drinks education accessible and affordable for all.
Through our wider partnerships programme, WSET collaborates with nearly 50 different organisations on a range of projects and bursaries which support individuals and under-represented communities facing challenges and financial hardship around the world.
Michelle Brampton, WSET CEO, said:
‘We’re very proud to have partnered with Sogrape Wine Academy and the Gérard Basset Foundation to provide our Level 1 Award in Wines course to hospitality professionals in Luanda, Angola. It’s central to our values at WSET to empower people all over the world through learning and education, providing them with a platform from which to develop their careers in the drinks industry. We look forward to hearing how each of the participants progresses from here.’
Edgar Sousa, General Manager of VINUS, Sogrape's distributor in Angola, adds:
‘The realization of this program is an important step that materializes the commitment of all partners involved with the promotion of wine knowledge and culture as a catalyst for the consolidation of the wine sector. We believe that this type of initiative contributes to a positive impact on the community, and the work we are developing with this project is the foundation for creating better conditions to explore new growth opportunities in the sector for the benefit of all professionals in this area and to provide better service to our consumers. The success of this first edition opens the doors to new ones in the future, contributing to the reinforcement of wine knowledge in Angola and promoting the development of service quality in the hospitality and tourism sector, which has enormous potential to explore in Angola.’
Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, said:
‘We are delighted to have partnered with Sogrape Wine Academy and WSET to create opportunities for Angolan wine sector professionals to obtain internationally recognized certifications. This program allowed them to acquire new knowledge and develop essential skills that will enrich their careers and enable progress in the wine and hospitality sector. We are excited to see all that the 14 participants of this course will achieve in the future.
Congratulations to all for completing the course and demonstrating so much dedication and passion throughout this journey’.
Read more about WSET's bursaries and prizes.
