A spirits fellowship for a lifelong career.

Diageo Learning Skills for Life (LSFL) Fellowship at NOCHI provides specialized spirits industry skills to those who have never worked behind the bar and develops life skills to help program graduates land high-quality industry jobs within NOCHI and Diageo’s large network of employer partners. There is no cost to participate.

Participants receive hands-on training that covers basic spirits and industry skills, food safety, and other bartending fundamentals. They also receive job readiness training, including a range of important professional skills such as interview preparation and conflict resolution. Fellows can use this program as a launchpad to build careers in the New Orleans food industry and beyond.

The Learning Skills for Life fellowship involves one week of onsite instruction, from 9am – 2pm at NOCHI.

Training will cover topics including:

• Introduction to Spirits and Spirits Production
• The Essentials of Bartending
• Bartending Fundamentals
• Responsible Vendor Certification
• Life Skills and Job Readiness (such as Interview Preparation, Conflict Resolution, Budgeting)

LSFL applicants must be:

• Age 18 and older
• Have no previous bartending experience
• Residents of the Greater New Orleans area
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Able to communicate (read, write, speak) in basic English
• Able to arrive on time
• Able to lift 50 pounds (22kg) and stand on your feet for 8 hour

Currently, we are accepting applications for all upcoming LSFL cohorts. Please email us with any questions about the application process.

Upcoming dates:

• March 24 – 28,2025 – PM CLASS 3:30 – 8:30 pm
• April 21 – 25, 2025
• May 19 – 23, 2025