New BII qualification for youngsters is launched

Schools and the licensed trade are joining forces to educate youngsters about alcohol, thanks to a new BII qualification.

Launched at the Phoenix High School in Hammersmith, London last week, the Certificate of Alcohol Awareness has already attracted praise from teachers and the drinks trade.

The qualification, aimed at 15 and 16 year olds, requires 10 hours of teaching time and a 25-question multiple choice test. Subjects covered include the licensing laws, the strength of alcoholic drinks and the effects of drinking alcohol.

Phoenix High School piloted the qualification, which is now available to all schools. Headteacher William Atkinson said: "I jumped at the opportunity to take part in this as I used to work as a drayman for a brewer - I know that working in the drinks trade can be rewarding financially, and in terms of enjoyment."

Cathie Smith, director of BII's awarding body, hopes the qualification will raise the profile of pubs to potential employees. "Recruitment and retention is a big issue in the trade, and if we can recruit from groups of people who already have this knowledge about alcohol it's a win-win situation," she said.

London brewer Fuller's sponsored the pilot scheme. PR manager Georgina Wald said: "It's very difficult for brewers to speak to people under the age of 18, so this has been a brilliant way for us to engage with our local community."

Eighty per cent of the 96 GCSE-level Phoenix pupils who sat the exam passed. Pupil Sian Maher, who collected her certificate at the launch, said: "The course showed what alcohol can do to you. Being teenagers we might think 'well it's just a Bacardi Breezer, it doesn't have an effect', but it does long-term."