Sogrape Wine Academy Completes First Scholarship Program in Angola
The Sogrape Wine Academy, in partnership with WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and the Gérard Basset Foundation, successfully completed its first Scholarship Program in Angola. This Program, pioneering in Angola, reflects the vision of the three institutions regarding the relevance of wine knowledge and training in the wine sector as essential tools for the development and career progression of local professionals related to this sector.
In Luanda, over three days, 14 Angolan scholarship holders, professionals from the hospitality and tourism sectors and wine trade, participated in the first wine training in Angola certified by WSET, the most internationally recognized training institute in this field. This Program included two days of preparation by the Sogrape Wine Academy course, with a pedagogical approach that helped better consolidate knowledge and facilitate the interpretation of the WSET methodology by the participants. The third day was dedicated to the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course, marking a historic moment as the first group in Angola to participate in this globally recognized qualification.
“This program is a step that greatly honours us and materializes the Sogrape Wine Academy's commitment to promoting wine knowledge and culture as a catalyst for transformation and growth in the sector. This partnership with WSET and the Gérard Basset Foundation is a concrete example of how we can contribute to empowering professionals, creating a positive impact in the communities where we are present, and driving the sustainable development of wine culture in Angola. We are very proud of the work done and look forward to exploring new opportunities for the benefit of all local sector professionals”, says Filipe Gonçalves, Executive Board Member of Sogrape.
Luanda was the city chosen for this pioneering project of the Sogrape Wine Academy in Angola, with the scholarship holders selected for their experience in the sector and their motivation to deepen their knowledge in wines. This focus reinforces the social and sustainable component of the project, benefiting the trainees, the companies they work for, and the tourism sector, allowing Sogrape to contribute to the development of the communities and places where it operates.
“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”, says Michelle Brampton, WSET CEO.
"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", says Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation.
It is with great satisfaction and pride that the Sogrape Wine Academy, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and the Gérard Basset Foundation contribute to the qualification of 14 professionals, at a time when the hospitality and tourism sector and the wine sector in Angola show increasing growth potential.
