New foundation spirits course from WSET

Published: 08 September, 2009

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is introducing a new Foundation Certificate in Spirits.

The new examination is being introduced following growing demand for "done-in-a-day" courses, and is amied particularly at customer-facing front-line staff for both the on and off-trades.

It will provide the basic product knowledge and information on the various distillation techniques with the key spirits to help them with their day-to-day jobs.

The programme will cover the main spirit categories, the factors affecting the flavours of spirits and will also teach students how to taste and recognise different spirits by using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits. The course also covers health, safety and legal issues, as well as advice on the service and selling of spirits.

Ian Harris, chief executive of WSET, said: "In these uncertain times, it is important that education and staff training remain front-of-mind, both for individuals and for businesses. The Foundation Certificate in Spirits meets a clearly-identified business need and we have already started working with several major companies who are planning to use this course as part of their Staff Induction Programme - both in UK and in international markets."

For further details or how you can become an Approved Programme Provider delivering this course go to www.wsetglobal.com or contact a member of WSET's business development team on 0207 089 3800.

* The WSET has also announced that 359 students completed all units of the Diploma during the academic year 2008/9. This is the highest number of Diploma graduates in the 40 year history of WSET, and chief executive Ian Harris said: "It is a testament to the quality of teaching in all the 22 centres offering the WSET Diploma, in 17 different countries, that we have achieved the figure of 359 graduates. Of this figure, just over half studied in markets outside UK, reflecting the international growth of WSET, and the graduate list includes students from 28 countries".

Diploma graduates this year include Claire Hu, managing editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit and Christine Boggins, deputy editor of Off Licence News.

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