Drinks giant Diageo has set its sights on tackling youth unemployment in Scotland by launching a £5 million training program for young people.
The Bell’s and Johnnie Walker distiller has initially targeted the hospitality industry with the Learning for Life program, aiming to put 200 job candidates through the scheme this year.
But it later plans to 
extend it retail, manufacturing and to help foster entrepreneurship.
The program prepares trainees for work by equipping them with a broad base of skills.
The first trainees for the hospitality industry graduated in Glasgow recently, after undertaking a six-week course covering bartending, customer service, teamwork, communication and CV preparation.
Each trainee was assigned a mentor, who remained on hand throughout the training and job search process and was available for ongoing advice.
The initial graduates qualified in time to capitalise on the opportunities expected to be brought by the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer and at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the Perthshire resort owned by Diageo, in September.