Skills and Inclusion

The Scotch Whisky industry is committed to building the skills and careers of our people, and working to achieve a more diverse and inclusive global workforce.

Within Scotland alone, the Scotch Whisky industry supports 41 000 jobs, with almost 39 000 flowing directly from the production of Scotch Whisky, primarily involving (but not limited to) distilling, rectifying and blending. Across the rest of the UK, the industry supports an additional 25 000 jobs, and in 2022 the Scotch Whisky industry generated £7.1 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) in the UK.

Scotch Whisky’s provenance, craft and heritage have made it renowned on the world stage, loved in 180 global markets.

As an industry that’s over 500 years old, our success is built on a drive to:

Boost the skills of our workforce and the next generation of colleagues
Proactively strive for equality across our global teams
Ensure that the many opportunities to thrive in our amazing industry are available to all

Explore our topics below:

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY IN THE SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY | SPIRITED CAREERS | VOICES FROM THE SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY IN THE SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY

In 2020 the industry launched its Diversity and Inclusivity Charter, committing it to action to improve aimed at improving representation and opportunities across the industry at all levels. Following a comprehensive review of the Charter’s aims and purpose, it has now been evaluated for relevance and impact. The refreshed Charter was approved by the SWA Council in December 2023 and we are delighted to be able to relaunch this key part of the strategy as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Charter. The aims and purpose of the Charter are still to attract a wide range of people to work for the industry in Scotland and around the world, and support everyone at all stages in their careers.

Through the Charter, we are underscoring our commitment to attract a wide range of people to work for the industry in Scotland and around the world at all levels and at all stages in their careers. Our goal is to ensure that our workforce is as diverse as our whiskies and the people who enjoy them.

“I am pleased that the refresh of this important Charter has been approved at the highest level within the SWA. Diversity, equity and inclusion are key parts of all organisations in this and every sector and it’s important that we celebrate how far we have come and acknowledge there is still a considerable amount of work to go. I am excited to proceed with this new vision.”

- Heather Pritchard, chair of the Skills and Inclusion Working Group

READ THE REFRESHED CHARTER HERE

SPIRITED CAREERS

The Industry Sustainability team has designed and launched Spirited Careers with support from HR and inclusivity professionals in the Scotch Whisky industry. Spirited Careers is a part of the SWA website which can be used to find information about jobs and current vacancies in the Scotch Whisky industry.

On the site, you can find:

💼 Job vacancies from across the Scotch Whisky and spirits industry

💡 Insights into the skills and qualifications needed for different roles across the industry, from finance to distilling

✍️ Case studies from people across the industry

In May 2024, the SWA held held the first Spirited Careers Conference. Covering everything from the power of diversity in organisations, to how AI is affecting talent acquisition and recruitment, to how changing an approach can change a culture, the conference aimed to take a look at the current and future state of careers, skills and inclusion, with a focus how on the Scotch Whisky industry is affected.

The event was emceed by Heather Pritchard (Diageo), with project support from Wendy Ellen (Brown-Forman), Mark McKeown (Glenmorangie) Kirsty Summers (Scotch Whisky Association), and Liza Vas (Scotch Whisky Association) and sponsored by Burness Paull.

#SCOTCHSTORIES: VOICES FROM ACROSS THE SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY

To highlight the breadth of roles across the Scotch Whisky industry, and the different pathways people take to towards them, we created our #ScotchStory series. Discover different roles across the industry with the videos below.

"Working with sensory analysis, working in the whisky industry - you have to have patience."

Lorena Baez Subiabre, Whisky Blender for Lindores Abbey Distillery, explains how her background in food science and passion for learning led to her role.

"You get to be very proud of home."

Carol Mackay, Operations Manager at Glenmorangie Visitor Centre, shares how she brought her skills from restaurant management and banking to the world of whisky.

"The decisions we make today are long-term decisions."

Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender for Dewar's, shares what she loves about her role.

"Over the years, I've met some extraordinary people."

Yvonne Walker, Head of Packaging Development at Chivas Brothers, takes us through the most magical parts of her role in packaging.

"Whisky really is for everyone."

Angela Dineen, Operations Director at the Scotch Whisky Experience shares how the world of whisky has changed over the last 25 years and what she'd tell someone who's about to start a career in Scotch Whisky.

"It's a rare trade to be in, but it's a phenomenal trade to be in."

Kirsten, Apprentice Coppersmith for Diageo, explains more about her unique set of skills and how she came to be a coppersmith.

"I can remember the first time I fixed a barrel."

Brian, Cooper at Speyside Cooperage, takes us through one of the more unique roles in the Scotch Whisky industry.

"I'm here to protect the people, I'm here to protect the environment, and I'm here to protect the community."

Fiona Birkinhead, HSQE Director at Tomatin Distillery, explains why Health, Safety and the Environment are more important than ever before.

"The Scotch Whisky industry is very unique in the way that it works collaboratively."

Frances Jack, Whisky Scientist at Scotch Whisky Research Institute explains exactly what a Whisky Scientist does - and the most rewarding part of her role.

"I've been talking about whisky for 30 years."

Ronnie, Tour Guide at Lindores Abbey Distillery takes us through how he came back from retirement after managing hotels to share his love of whisky with visitors.