Cask Trade Speaks to Alexandra Miller - DEVELOP Programme Manager

Last week, Cask Trade announced their next collaboration with The Drinks Trust, releasing the details of their new Cask Whisky Masterclass for The Drinks Trust’s DEVELOP programme. 

During the planning phase of this initiative, we had the pleasure of speaking Alexandra Miller, Programme Manager of DEVELOP. Join us as we learn more about Alexandra’s own role at The Drinks Trust, her journey into the industry, and how other businesses can get involved in supporting the initiative. 

Tell us a bit about your role as Programme Manager at The Drinks Trust? 

As a Programme Manager for The Drinks Trust I oversee the DEVELOP programme which offers fully funded training and employment support to individuals looking to launch their careers in drinks and hospitality. We work with industry, educators, and government bodies like DWP to help upskill and fuel the talent pipeline

We partner with brands, distributors, operators, educators, and government bodies like the DWP to help to up-skill and fuel the drinks industry talent pipeline. The third most common reason for someone leaving a job in drinks is due to lack of learning and development opportunities - following ‘remuneration’ and ‘work/life balance’ - much of what we do helps to retain current employees on minimum income, helping them to engage in vocational development. 

Have you always worked in the drinks industry? 

Yes, I love it. Restaurants and Cafes were my first taste of the industry, I was offered the chance to run a small forty-cover restaurant in Melbourne which was a real immersion into the meritocracy of drinks and hospitality.  

What made you want to work with The Drinks Trust? 

At university I studied Global Politics and International Relations. The Drinks Trust perfectly blends together my aspiration to work for a non-profit and my love for the sector. The Drinks Trust’s mission to alleviate financial hardship was a key motivator for working together - their focus on the individual beneficiary throughout the supply chain and high levels of care are why the work so fulfilling.  

Can you tell us more about DEVELOP?  

DEVELOP bridges the employment and skills gaps by addressing financial, education and confidence barriers and offering training and employment - free of charge - for people hoping to work with drinks from point-of-production to point-of-sale. The programme consists of workshops, funded qualifications and employment support for anyone who fits the criteria. The offer is intentionally broad and non-prescriptive to provide agency to as many beneficiaries as possible.   

DEVELOP was envisaged prior to the covid pandemic, though the launch could not have been more timely. Particularly at that time the sector was facing a widespread recruitment crisis, but more so a skills crisis. Many skilled workers had retrained, been made redundant, or found work elsewhere. On the other side of the coin unemployed jobseekers across the country showed high levels of interest to work in the industry but felt they lacked the skills to access the right jobs.  

Who can benefit from DEVELOP programmes? 

Industry workers, students of F&B courses, and unemployed jobseekers are the key groups that look to DEVELOP for support though anyone who has an ambition to work with drinks and is earning £26k.pa or less will likely qualify for support. 

How can businesses support DEVELOP or get involved themselves? 

The Drinks Trust is entirely funded by industry – it is a chance to give back to the industry and those people who buy, pour and sell your products. We offer business partnership starting from £1k.pa and have a range of opportunities to suit all ESG initiatives and any budget - from fundraising events to mentoring students or supporting formal qualifications.