During the fall of 2021, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) gave back to their community by donating $67,000 to establish the LCBO Spirit of Inclusion Initiative bursary in partnership with Niagara College’s beverage alcohol programs. The initiative was created to bolster talented women who are currently underrepresented in the alcohol beverage industry, specifically those from diverse backgrounds such as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), women with disabilities, first-generation Canadians, 2SLGBTQ+, and non-binary gender.
Celebrating women in all industries is important—but especially for those in fields that are primarily male-dominated.
“I have been in both beverage alcohol and the culinary industry … and women definitely get treated and looked at differently in both industries since they are so heavily male-dominated,” said Beverage Business Management student, and Spirit of Inclusion Initiative bursary recipient, Rayna MacKay. “Oftentimes, in the beverage alcohol industry, you see men as CEOs, head winemakers, owning and representing the brand … it’s hard to imagine where I will be in the future when I rarely see women in these same positions.”
This is what the LCBO Spirit of Inclusion Initiative plans to change. The initiative is working with partners, such as Diageo and Labatt Breweries of Canada, to establish bursaries, mentorship and continued education for diverse women looking to explore or further their skills in the winery, brewery or distillery fields. In collaboration with these two companies, an additional $57,000 was donated to make these plans a reality. The LCBO is also working with both the Canadian Women’s Foundation and Vinequity to support the initiative and help it evolve for the future.
Winery and Viticulture Technician student, and Spirit of Inclusion Initiative bursary recipient, Montserrat De Los Rios has found the mentorship opportunities just as rewarding as the financial assistance the bursary has provided her.
“The bursary has helped me in my studies by putting me in contact with a wonderful mentor currently working in the industry,” she said. “I’m getting hands-on experiences that I can take back to my classes to deepen my understanding of course materials. It’s also helped me start to focus on what exactly I want my place in the industry to look like.”
Seeing oneself in a chosen field is crucial to achieving success, as is financial stability. The LCBO recognizes these truths and, through this initiative, is hoping to broaden the landscape of talent within the beverage alcohol industry.
“Having them [LCBO] provide resources and support will mean a great deal to under-represented talent, especially us in the LGBTQ2S+ community,” said Alyssa Katch, NC Artisan Distilling Student and LCBO Spirit of Inclusion bursary recipient. “In addition, COVID has been extremely difficult for many, especially when referring to income. This bursary will allow individuals to take the next step in a career change without the worry of accumulating debt.”
MacKay, De Los Rios and Katch are among the first-ever recipients of this groundbreaking initiative. Students from all four of NC’s beverage programs were awarded the following in funding, to cover both tuition and ancillary program costs:
• $9,773 for an Artisan Distilling student (one-year program);
• $9,653 for a Winery and Viticulture Technician student (to be dispersed over two years of the program);
• $8,448 for a Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management student (to be disbursed over two years of the program); and
• $5,261 for a Beverage Business Management student (a new one-year program launched in September 2021).
The balance of funds that remains will be used to award future recipients in the coming academic years.
Education lays the foundation for most successful careers in the beverage alcohol industry, and the LCBO, along with their partners, see this initiative as a chance for the field to grow from the ground up. They recognize that by bolstering under-represented talent, everyone benefits. The community becomes richer, fuller and more vibrant, which can only happen when doors of opportunity are open to everyone.
For more information on bursaries at Niagara College, visit the financial aid website here. Learn more about NC’s various Canadian Food and Wine Institute programs, visit the website here.
