Bacardi Celebrates Hospitality Program Graduates
Bacardi announced the graduation of the first cohort of its Hospitality Accelerator Program, which saw the participants complete four weeks of intensive mixology training at the European Bartender School in London and two weeks of professional development and leadership training in Bermuda.
Davonte Thompson; Laura Nunez; Malika Cartwright; Raguel Dill; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Owen Darrell; Tinisha Pearman; Alana Rogers; Tez Terry; Bacardi’s Douglas Mello; Izrael Pearman, and Keisahun Samuels:
A spokesperson said, “Bacardi, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, proudly announces the graduation of the first cohort of its Hospitality Accelerator Program, a six-week advanced training initiative designed to strengthen Bermuda’s hospitality industry by upskilling bartenders already working in the field.
“Launched earlier this year in partnership with the Bermuda Government’s Department of Workforce Development, the program reflects the continued commitment of Bacardi to building a resilient and skilled local workforce.
“The six selected participants returned to Bermuda on March 30th after completing four weeks of intensive mixology training at the European Bartender School in London. There, they mastered over 60 cocktail recipes, refined their bartending techniques, and gained exposure to global hospitality standards.
“Upon their return, they engaged in two weeks of professional development and leadership training in Bermuda, delivered in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Development. The structure of the program enabled participants to deepen their technical skills while gaining the confidence and tools needed to advance their careers.
“This year’s program introduced a new partnership model, with employers from six of Bermuda’s top hospitality businesses—Beach Boys Group, Grotto Bay, Hamilton Princess, the IRG Group, St. Regis, and The Loren—nominating their team members for participation.
“This shift toward an employer-led approach has proven to be highly effective, strengthening the link between training and long-term career development through structured collaboration with industry partners. Each graduate has now returned to their sponsoring property to fulfill a six-month employment commitment, further embedding their new skills within Bermuda’s hospitality landscape.”
“The success of this year’s program is a testament to the power of public-private collaboration,” said Douglas Mello, Managing Director of Bacardi International Limited. “We are proud to support these talented individuals and to help develop the next generation of hospitality leaders in Bermuda.”
Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward added, “The Hospitality Accelerator Program is a shining example of what public-private collaboration can achieve. By investing in local talent, we are creating real pathways to success for Bermudians in hospitality. I commend Bacardi for their leadership and the participants for their outstanding achievement.”
The spokesperson said, “Following the success of this inaugural format, Bacardi is actively exploring opportunities to expand the Hospitality Accelerator Program. Details regarding the next cohort will be announced in the coming months.”
Well done all
Go Bacardi. Thanks for your commitment to our community