A pubco training scheme which has been re-designed to better suit licensees' needs has been given the industry seal of approval.
Marston's licensee training initiative has been approved by the BII Awarding Body's (BIIAB) Good Practice Recognition Scheme after it was tailored to allow licensees fewer hours away from their business.
Marston's Pub Company's head of customer support Peter Lyne said: "When we looked at our scheme 18 months ago there were a few issues we wanted to address. One of those was that new licensees had to take five days out of their own business in order to attend the course.
"Our latest Stepping Stones programme means that new licensees now only have to attend one day on site at our Burton Brewery to see how we make our beer - then the rest of the modules are done in their own pub.
"They can have as many of their own staff as they like to attend the sessions so their business can get as much benefit as possible from the initiative."
BIIAB deputy director Denise Thomson said: "The Marston's scheme is very well put together and the materials the company has produced are easy to read and work your way through."
The Stepping Stones introduction programme has five modules providing an access course to the industry, leadership, business development, process and finance.
An average of 60 people take the course each month.