From WSPC in collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation

WSPC presented the Training Scheme for Single Mothers “Woman 2023 – Now I Can Do It Too”, which will be held in collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation. The protagonists of this training scheme – which includes training in Wine, Spirits and Coffee-Tea-Cocoa, will be Single Mothers, who are looking for an opportunity for professional training and recognition in the field of Catering, Hospitality and Tourism.

WSPC, through this action, aims to train and develop skills in 25 single mothers by 2023.

The Press Conference to announce the action was held on Tuesday, January 17th at the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, in the presence of Konstantinos Lazarakis Master of Wine (MW) – President & Head of WSPC Education, Ian Harris MBE, DipWSET – Trustee of the Gerard Basset Foundation, the WSPC Principals, industry professionals and media representatives.

Among other things, Konstantinos Lazarakis stated: “Our collaboration with the Gérard Basset Foundation opens the door to lifelong education for single mothers, giving them the opportunity to train and claim jobs on equal terms, with the appropriate guarantees offered by our educational programs. “Woman 2023 – Now I Can Too” is the first big step in this direction and we are sure that 2023 can become 2024, 2025, and so on, guided by solidarity and of course the vision of the great Gérard Basset.

For us, this action by the Gérard Basset Foundation is a seed. Other companies abroad, and primarily companies in the Greek market & society, should imitate this action, and allocate resources to cultivate other such seeds, which will aim to upgrade staffing – in knowledge and skills, for Greeks, Greek women and ultimately Greek businesses.”

Ian Harris then took the floor, stating: “The Gérard Basset Foundation carefully reviews all grant applications, seeking to ensure the continuity of Gérard Basset’s vision. The choice of WSPC among dozens of educational organizations was not accidental. Inclusion and opportunities for all, regardless of gender, religion and socio-economic status, are the primary goal of the actions and educational programs we fund. We are confident that through our collaboration with WSPC, the catering, hospitality and tourism sector will benefit greatly, as graduates with internationally recognized certifications will fill jobs, dramatically improving the product and services provided.”

The three training programs (WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits, BSA Barista Level 1 Plus), with tuition fees exceeding €1,000 per participant, are fully subsidized by the Gérard Basset Foundation, aiming at the multi-level educational and professional empowerment of women – mothers, who, usually, do not have the surplus needed for their training.

This training lasts a total of 41 hours (teaching & exams) and its successful completion ensures that each student obtains three internationally recognized and prestigious Certifications.

You can find the program description, the requirements, the necessary supporting documents and the expression of interest form here.

Finally, WSPC undertakes to create a special section in its Career Center, giving the opportunity to all companies in the sectors to search for graduates of the program for job offers. Similarly, the graduates themselves will have access to the job market of the sectors.

The Strategic Partners

The Gérard Basset Foundation, based in Great Britain, was created in memory of the Frenchman Gérard Basset (1957-2019), OBE MW MS MBA OIV MSc – the highest figure in the history of Oenology. He is considered the best Sommelier in the world and the only person to have held the title of Master of Wine simultaneously with the 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 the merit and great legacy left behind by Gérard Basset. 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, it funds educational, learning and career opportunities for young professionals in wine, spirits and hospitality. Emphasis is placed on global diversity, equity and inclusion of trained and qualified professionals in the wine, spirits, tourism and hospitality industries.

WSPC, based in Athens, is the oldest, largest and most prestigious educational branch in Southern Europe, ensuring candidates excellent training in all areas of the Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages trade as well as Oenology.

WSPC collaborates with leading international organizations, providing Certifications with Global Prestige and Power in its programs. It is an Approved Program Provider of:

Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET UK),
Court of Master Sommeliers (MS UK),
Beverage Standards Association (BSA UK) and
Wine Scholar Guild (USA)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]