Partner Background
The Vines Foundation is a catalyst for positive change in Tunuyan, a city in the Western province of Mendoza, Argentina. Our mission is to promote the capacity of our community through sustainable initiatives that improve food security, strengthen socioeconomic independence, and contribute to the holistic wellbeing of each child in our community. As the philanthropic arm of The Vines, an Argentine farming, winemaking and hospitality company (vinesofmendoza.com, vinesresortandspa.com) with deep international connections, the Foundation is leveraging its resources to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the local community. Most importantly, we are seeking to increase capacity and participation through engaging community members and organizations, local and national businesses, and the municipal government to address complex challenges.
Definition of Opportunity
Help the Vines Foundation research best practices and develop a general plan for a new vocational school to promote skills for community members and connect them with local economic opportunities.The Uco Valley is witnessing exponential growth in the tourism industry. Despite this, there is a shortage of workers for hotels, wineries and restaurants, and at the same time there are many in our community who don't have the necessary skills to get good jobs in the hospitality industry.
The Foundation is exploring the creation of a school focused on providing high-quality hospitality training to members of the local community — helping build the necessary skills and experience to secure good jobs in local hotels and restaurants, including The Vines. The programs would be designed to provide comprehensive training in various aspects of hospitality, including customer service, food preparation, housekeeping, and management. We will provide hands-on training, internships, guidance, and mentorship to ensure that community members gain mindsets and practical skills that can get them good jobs.
For the Uco Valley community, these programs provide an avenue for economic growth by producing a skilled workforce that can attract and sustain businesses in the hospitality industry. For graduates of these programs there will be a path to financial stability and career advancement. Additionally, we hope our programs can provide opportunities for personal growth and development, as participants gain valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Vision of Success
Through working with the Fall 2023 DAT, we hope to gain insight and devise these final deliverables:
Based on the community assessment, define the overall market and potential for a hospitality vocational school. List the risks, opportunities and potential corporate partners. Share the information on the skills that are most in demand in the area, and best ways to build those skills in the local community.