James Watt Pioneers New Alcohol Training Course
September 30, 2009
James Watt College is piloting an innovative training scheme in partnership with BII, the professional body for the licensed retail industry, to increase students’ awareness of the social, economic and health impacts of alcohol as well as the importance of the licensed retail sector to the local and national economy.
Over 20 young people between the ages of 14 and 19 have participated in the 10 hour Scottish Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (SCAA) and were presented with their new qualification and a certificate of attendance from James Watt College at a ceremony in the college on 17th December 2008.
BII has developed the SCAA through its awarding body BIIAB to help Government raise awareness of alcohol issues with young people and adults.
Jen Marshall, Head of School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport at James Watt College said: “We are delighted to be running the pilot course for the BIIAB Alcohol Awareness Course here at James Watt College. The course is already on offer in England through colleges and schools and if the project here is a success we would like to roll it out to schools in the local area once funding becomes available. Courses like this are essential in the Inverclyde area to build pupils’ confidence and assertiveness as well as increase their employability.”
“This course will also help address the issue with alcohol that we have here in Inverclyde. We have the 2nd highest male death rate due to alcohol abuse in the UK and the fourth highest female death rate. In addition we also have the highest rate of Korsakoff’s Syndrome, an alcohol-related psychosis, in the whole of Europe. A survey also showed that the consumption of alcohol by 13 and 15 year olds more than doubled from 2002 to 2006. Courses like this are essential in Inverclyde to combat the problems with alcohol that we have as an area.”
Alice Cardwell-Hodges, BIIAB International Development Director, commented: “Every testimonial we receive from staff and students who have participated in the CAA is very positive and I’ve no doubt that James Watt College will experience the same. On a national level, by the end of 2008 around 6,000 young people will have taken this valuable qualification, which is being delivered in over 130 venues throughout the UK. By the end of 2009 we expect this figure to have trebled.”
The course is being delivered by part time lecturer Ross MacDonald who runs a company that specialises in official training for the licensed trade. Ross said: “As well as learning about the dangers of drinking alcohol excessively, the students will gain a recognised qualification in the licensed trade which could be a stepping stone into employment in restaurants, bars or hotels. The course allows young people to talk about alcohol in a frank and open manner. We have dismissed some of the myths surrounding alcohol and exposed the hidden dangers of drinking to excess.”
The BIIAB Scottish Certificate in Alcohol Awareness covers a number of issues including the nature of alcohol and the different strengths of alcoholic drinks; how alcohol affects the body and the dangers of binge-drinking; the risks of irresponsible drinking to sexual health; the dangers of drink-driving and drug-driving; licensing laws and licensing offences and how the licensed trade promotes responsible drinking while contributing to the local and national economy.
The BII Alcohol Awareness Project has been offered as part of the More Choices, More Chances Winter Leavers’ Vocational Taster Programme at the College, which allows school pupils to attend the college on a full time basis from mid-September to December and sample some of the courses that are on offer, with many pupils going on to start full-time courses in January.
For further information on this, or any of the other courses provided by James Watt College, go to www.jameswatt.ac.uk or phone 0800 587 2277