Skills Development Educational Scheme for
single parent families
By WSPC in collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation
The protagonists of this educational scheme – which includes training in Wine, Spirits and Coffee – Cocoa – Tea, are the Women of single-parent families, who are looking for an opportunity for professional training and distinction in the field of Catering, Hospitality and Tourism.
These three educational programs, with tuition fees exceeding €1.100,00 per participant, are fully subsidized by the Gérard Basset Foundation, aiming at the multi-level educational and professional empowerment of women raising their children alone. The duration of the training is a total of 41 hours (classes & exams).
Through this action, WSPC aims to train and develop the skills of 15 mothers of single-parent families within 2025.
The educational program includes the following modules:
The knowledge and certification of this complex program provides them the opportunity to seek and find employment, but also the potential to take full control of their lives in relation to their financial activity, the safeguarding of their rights in securing employment, but also in building a new path and building a professional career in Greece, as well as abroad.
Successful completion of the program guarantees each student the acquisition of three Certifications of international recognition and prestige.
In addition, WSPC will create a special section in its Career Center, giving the opportunity to companies of all sectors to seek out graduates of the program for job offers. Similarly, the graduates themselves will have access to the employment market of these fields.
Eligibility for participation: All single mothers,who are adults and have a good command of the english language.
No absences are permitted. In the event of an absence, participation is cancelled.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM AND SUPPORTED DOCUMENTS
About Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation, based in Great Britain, was created in memory of Gérard Basset (1957-2019) from France, ОBE MW MS MBA OIV MSc – the greatest figure in the history of Sommellerie. He is considered the best Sommelier in the world and the only person to hold the titles of Master of Wine as well as of Master Sommelier, Bordeaux KEDGE Wine MBA and OIV MSc.
The foundation was established by his wife Nina Basset and his son Romané Basset, in honor of Gérard Basset’s merit and great legacy.With a vision that stems from the very personality of Gérard Basset – known worldwide not only for his professionalism – but also for his generosity, humility and kindness, the foundation funds education, learning and career opportunities for young wine, alcoholic beverages, and hospitality professionals. Emphasis is placed on global diversity, equity, and inclusion of educated and skilled professionals in the wine, spirits, tourism, and hospitality industries.
Gérard Basset
7 Μαρτίου 1957 – 16 Ιανουαρίου 2019
Gérard Basset was without doubt one of the greatest wine professionals of his generation worldwide. He held the titles of MW (Master of Wine), MS (Master Sommelier), OBE, MBA, ASI World Champion, and OIV MSc. He was the first and only person to achieve the extraordinarily demanding combination of the Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, Bordeaux KEDGE Wine MBA, and the OIV MSc qualifications—an accomplishment unlikely to be repeated for many years to come.
The pinnacle of his career came in April 2010, when he won the ASI World’s Best Sommelier competition in Santiago, Chile, solidifying his remarkable dominance in the industry. This was further acknowledged when he was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for his services to hospitality, and again in March 2013, when he joined the wine world’s elite as Decanter’s “Man of the Year.” More recently, he was named a Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit by the French Minister of Agriculture.
Alongside these achievements, Gérard also built a growing business empire that many could only dream of. He was a founding partner of the hugely successful Hotel du Vin group, which expanded to six hotels before being sold to Malmaison for £66 million. During the ten years at the helm, Gérard mentored and trained a new generation of sommeliers who sought his expertise and guidance as they launched their own careers. Many went on to win industry awards, and even more founded successful ventures of their own, drawing on their experience at Hotel du Vin and, in particular, under Gérard’s mentorship.