Pub trade backs new Government qualification to get young people working in pubs

Under the scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds, exam boards for the new ‘tech-level’ qualifications will need public approval from either professional bodies or five employers that are registered with Companies House and “represent the breadth of the relevant sector”.

The Department for Education (DfE) has listed the hospitality sector as one relevant industry, along with engineering, IT and accounting.

In order to be included in performance tables, it must be possible to demonstrate what the qualification would lead to, such as a job or apprenticeship.

The idea is for tech-level qualifications to be available from September 2014.

Aspirational​

The DfE said the “aspirational reforms” would “not only strengthen vocational education but boost the economy by giving young people skills to fill shortages in key occupations”.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers is “wholeheartedly” behind the new qualifications. Strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls said: “It’s part of the solution because it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle that we need to make sure we get right, so apprenticeships in our sector become more highly-valued, and this is a stepping stone towards that.

“This is about making sure that, at a very basic level, people are equipped with the necessary skills to develop a career in our industry.”

Keith Knowles, chairman of Perceptions Group, a scheme that aims to get young people into work in pubs, said: “It’s great that the Government included our sector. It shows that the Government is starting to recognise the impact we can make on employment.”

However, the Beds & Bars chief executive said that the training must be carried out properly.

“I just hope that, when they do it, people get good-quality training from the industry,” he told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser. “The training has to be relevant and we have to ensure that the money is used appropriately."

'Strong employer input'​

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds also voiced her support. “Schools have very little incentive to encourage students to undertake vocational qualifications in hospitality and we need to change the perception of our industry to one where the pathway to a career in a pub or in brewing is attractive and aspirational,” she said.

Lee Woolley, head of learning and development at Stonegate Pub Company, added: “The traineeships would fit neatly into our current plan as we are already involved in programmes that support this age group.”

Martin-Christian Kent, product development director at sector-skills council People 1st, urged the Government to ensure the employer has a “strong input” to deliver skills people need.