Drinks giants launch new training scheme

The giants of the drinks trade have partnered to launch a major new barstaff training scheme.

Coordinated by Cask Marque, companies including Diageo, AB InBev, WaverleyTBS and Coca Cola Enterprises have put together a training package aimed at teaching new or inexperienced members of bar staff the basics of serving all types of drinks. Students will watch training videos put together by Sky, another partner in the scheme, and will qualify for an award by answering a series of questions online.

The training will focus also on their legal responsibilities, and licensing lawyers Poppleston Allen will provide training on this.

Cask Marque has also signed up licensed trade training company CPL to assist with the project.

Cask Marque members will be allowed to trial the training scheme for free in May, and it is hoped that it will be rolled out fully the following month. It will normally cost Cask Marque members £15 for each member of staff, and non-members £20.

Cask Marque director Paul Nunny told thepublican.com: "We identified, through the cellar management training we currently run, that the barperson plays a very big role in delivering perfect serve. We felt there needed to be some simple training for them that covers all aspects of drinks.

"The key thing, and the thing that should motivate retailers, is the knowledge it will provide on legal requirements. The government is taking more and more interest in having people trained in that aspect of bar week.

"I am certain that we have to get to new entrants to the trade early on and turn them into professional members of barstaff."