Scottish Licensed Trade Association launches online training

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 06 September, 2016

Scottish bar managers and bar staff will soon be able to gain the qualifications they need to serve alcohol in Scotland through a new digital initiative from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA).

The SLTA have partnered with Pearson, one of the UK's largest awarding bodies to offer the online qualification, which aims to increase professional and safety standards, reduce costs for licensees and make training and qualification more accessible.

The initiative is being launched today (September 6), has been designed to firstly ensure that licensees across Scotland can support staff working towards the Scottish Certificate for Licensed Premises Staff (SCLPS).

The minimum of two hours of training required to achieve the SCLPS qualification, and the certificate itself, will be delivered completely online.

This will be free of charge for SLTA members.

Paul Waterson, SLTA chief executive, said: "The SLTA's new online training initiative will transform how our members train new staff and skill up existing staff to more senior levels. Maintaining high standards of professionalism and safety are vital to our industry, ensuring licensees provide an excellent and consistent service that meets legal requirements and can quickly help build skilled and motivated teams."

In November, the SLTA also plans to launch a course for bar managers and supervisors to achieve the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) - a legal requirement for those authorising the sale of alcohol or in charge of premises where alcohol is sold.

This will include a minimum of 10 hours of training and the relevant examination. This will be provided to SLTA members at a cost of £35, with all the training, the examination and the certificate delivered online.

This will be the first time the entire SCPLH qualification can be accessed and delivered online, reducing the time commitment for the on-trade and making the qualification more accessible for those in rural locations in Scotland.

"It is invaluable to have access to an easy-to-use, reliable service that is developed and managed by SLTA - the voice of the trade and experts in legislation," Chris Reid, owner of Henrick's Bar and Bistro, Edinburgh, said.

"This means a trainee can learn in his or her own time, study and understand at their own rate, instead of having to learn and sit an exam in a pre-determined time."

The SLTA represents all sectors of the Scottish Licensed Trade Industry.

Members include publicans, hoteliers, restaurateurs, late night entertainment venues, clubs, and licensed grocers.

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