Licensing

Act fallout

There may have been a rush by applicants keen to get the qualifications they need to operate under the new licensing regime, but that hasn't stopped the need for other forms of training. The Morning Advertiser reports on what is happening in the marketplace

The change being brought about by the new Licensing Act have had their effect on training. Training providers, for example, say they have been flooded by applicants keen to get their National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH). And the rush for NCPLHs has meant many other aspects of training have been put on the back burner.

Chris Nicholls, head of training, recruitment and licensing, at Charles Wells, remarks: 'It's been manic because of the need for people to get their NCPLH. Nicholls says a lot of people missed out on their grandfather rights because they didn't get their licence applications in by 6 August. They are now rushing to get their certificate before 24 November otherwise they will be trading illegally.

The Bedford brewer's Eagle Training Centre has held 19 courses for candidates with an average attendance of 15 to 16 participants. Nicholls explains: 'The NCPLH is much more complicated than the old NCL (National Certificate for Licensees). It requires a lot more pre-reading and covers a wider range of topics.

People have forgotten training

He says that even those who managed to convert their grandfather rights may not have a NCL and they are now enrolling to make sure they understand the new licensing system, particularly on things like event notices and reviews.

He agrees that everyone's pre-occupation with the NCPLH has had an effect on other aspects of training. 'People have forgotten about training their staff, hopefully it is only a temporary blip. Nicholls says that under the new licensing regime, local authorities will become much more involved with everything from environmental health and noise pollution to planning and issues like food hygiene.

He feels safety and risk assessments will also play important roles in the future, together with coaching people in team building, improving management skills, and conflict management. Nicholls says two recently-introduced qualification courses will also be in demand, namely responsible alcohol retailing and a course for designated premises supervisors. The DPS training is wide ranging and includes risk assessments, operating schedules, social responsibility issues, crime and disorder, and even threats of terrorism.

The Bedford brewer intends to sponsor a couple of people for a foundation degree course, which Nicholls thinks will take two to three years. 'It will show people that the licensed trade is a profession and that there is the opportunity to progress their careers.

Incredibly busy period

David Elphick, training manager of Poppleston Allen Consultancy and Training, also reports that his firm has been 'incredibly busy because of all the new legislation, especially with people applying for the new personal licence. He adds: 'The vast majority have been from people running small freehouses, little restaurants and village halls.

Elphick says PACT has done a huge amount of training for local authority licensing officers on how to process the licence applications. The company has also just started running the British Institute of Innkeeping's new course the National Certificate for Licensing Practitioners. Participants are local authority licensing officers and environmental officers, police and fire brigade personnel.

Another favourite has been the Security Industry Authority's course for door supervisors. In addition to door staff, Elphick says a number of managers have enrolled so that they understand all that is expected from their employees as well as gaining the qualification so that they too can act as a door supervisor when required.

The extra weight of legislation has also led to the introduction of training on due diligence and regulatory crime. He explains: 'Senior managers want to know their responsibilities under the legislation and the course is aimed at teaching them how to manage and control licensed premises. The courses are proving quite popular at the moment because bar staff are being made personally responsible for serving under-age drinkers.

A sea change in training

Elphick says he has noticed a sea change in training. 'Historically, training was the domain of senior staff, now the accent is on training all staff members.

Meanwhile, David Taylor, director of training at Guy Simmonds, says he hasn't noticed a sudden rush of people who missed out on the 6 August deadline. He explains: 'Our principal market is prospective publicans. People who woke up one day and I thought I'd like to run a pub. He says the two most popular courses are a one-day course to obtain a personal licence (NCPLH) plus a three-day course that combines the NCPLH, followed by two days induction on essential business issues, such as bar and cellar management, catering, finance, marketing and legislation.

However, Taylor is concerned about the number of training providers that seem to have sprung up in recent years and warns: 'Some are no more than one man and his dog. He adds: 'I accept we operate in a free market, but I do worry about the standard of some of the training being provided.

Taylor says: 'For people to get the most out of their training, they should take some of the lessons learned and give bite-sized training messages to their staff. These should last no more than five to 10 minutes.

He adds: 'The trade underperforms tremendously. The wicked wanton waste of profit opportunities makes me weep. The trade is crying out for new initiatives such as training by distance learning.