This new course will be introduced on 1st June 2010 and will replace the current qualification completely.  The new qualification is called the Level 2 Award in Door Supervision and replaces the old Level 2 National Certificate for Door Supervisors.

The new course will remain a four-day course, but will now be in four units:

• Unit One:      Working in the Private Security Industry
• Unit Two:      The Role of the Door Supervisor
• Unit Three:   Conflict Management for the Private Security Industy
• Unit Four:     Physical Intervention

There will now be three multiple-choice exams; one for each of unit one, two and three.  Unit four will be tutor assessed throughout the training.

Importantly, there is no cross over between the old door supervisor qualification and the new door supervisor qualification.  Anyone who has not yet completed the current qualfication, or has to resit examinations, has until the end of August 2010 to do so.  After that date, if they haven’t attained the old qualification they will have to do the whole of the new course.

Similarly, if you already have another qualification, you will NOT be able to just sit the relevant unit.  You will have to do the full course at least once.  Thereafter if you want to apply for another licence you will only need to do the units previously not taken.  For instance you can do the new full door supervisor course and if you wanted to then become a vehicle immobiliser you would only have to take the sector specific unit for vehicle immobilisation.

If you already hold a physical intervention qualification from the BIIAB/Skills for Security it has not yet been confirmed whether this will count as accredited prior learning for unit four of the new course.

beSmart Training will be ready to teach this new qualification as soon as its available.  Please call Sue on 020 7237 6007 if you have any queries, or check out the website at www.besmart-training.co.uk.

The BII has started the nationwide search for the 2010 BII Licensee of the Year. 

Judges are looking for individuals or partnerships who make the best of the resources they have available.

They could be running a community pub, a village local or a high-street bar and be able to demonstrate great business ability and a passion for the trade.
The winner will be announced at the BII’s annual lunch in May. The award absolutely epitomises everything that BII stands for – excellence, professionalism, standards, best practice.

The current holder of the title Philip Davison, licensee at the Sun in the Wood, Newbury, Berkshire, said: “To win such a prestigious award is amazing, but even if you’re not fortunate enough get through to the final stages, just entering will make you revalue your business, look at how you do things and certainly improve your profit.”

To enter online visit www.bii.org for more information call Joanna Buston on 01276 417802 or email joannab@bii.org .

You can watch a video of the history of the awards and apply here: http://bii.bii.org/events/awards/2010loya , the closing date for entries is Friday February 15 2010.

Suzi Says…

It’s always great when licencees get the recognition they deserve.

 The judging for the BII awards are notoriously rigourous. I imagine that they check that everything is in order, from up-to-date staff training, to good standards of health and safety, to keeping customers safe and well looked after. Philip makes the point that “just entering makes revalue your business”.

My tip would be that it’s always a good idea to double-check that your licenses and training are up-to-date. For example, have you checked how the changes to the HSE First Aid regulations will affect business? Are your door supervisors fully licensed?

Attending training can help you to update your skills as well as chat to fellow licensees and share ideas and inspiration. 

If you are a licensee currently looking to enter the BII Licensee of the Year Awards, or a first time publican in need of some NCPLH, First Aid or conflict management training, call us today 020 7237 6007 for our immediate attention.

Good Luck to anyone who is applying!

The BIIAB Level 2 Award for Music Promoters (AMP) qualification is still in development but the first round of piloting has taken place and candidate feedback has been excellent. Among the first ‘students’ was Ray Paul, Executive Producer for Weekend Programming at BBC Radio 1, who commented: “I found the course invaluable and very thorough. I learnt many things about areas I knew little about and I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about working in, and promoting, events.”

Mike Anthony of BBC Radio 1 Xtra’s Rampage also took part in the pilot and he added: “Being on this workshop has highlighted aspects of the industry that are taken for granted and overlooked generally. This [qualification] will sort the men from the boys and improve a sector that needs desperate help. It also raises awareness, especially for new promoters, as well as encouraging a sense of responsibility.”

Fellow candidate Delon Edwards from Inc Group, commented that the qualification: “Will give confidence, I think, to larger corporate bookers that they have somebody who will look into the ‘ins and outs’ of running an event. I think if the team have this [qualification] it’s a step to professionalism.”

The AMP qualification, which is due to be launched in the new year, is considered to be the first step towards promoting and enhancing the standard, quality and legacy of promoters and events. This, in turn, will increase customers’ confidence and have a positive impact on stimulating the entertainments and leisure economy.

The project was instigated by the clubs and vice division of the Metropolitan Police who approached BIIAB, the market-leading awarding body for the licensed retail industry, to create a qualification which would encourage professionalism and best practice within this niche industry. Chief Inspector Adrian Studd of the Met Police Clubs and Vice Unit said: “BIIAB has our full support in the development of this award which we believe will help set and maintain the highest standards in the field of music promotion.”

Music promoters Pete Peart and Mark Clarke have made an invaluable input to the development of the qualification and they commented: “The whole idea of the course is to get active promoters to take a second look at their current methods used when organising events and for those that are entering the industry to understand and implement best practices.”

BIIAB is one of the few awarding bodies which pilots its qualifications to ensure they are fit for purpose before they are launched nationally. Candidates for the AMP pilot consisted of music promoters, club operators and various local authority representatives, including the police and council licensing officers. The pilot was held over two consecutive days and was concluded with a forty minute multiple choice examination. The AMP has already been accredited by the qualifications regulator Ofqual.

Feedback from the pilot will now be analysed and any necessary changes will be made before it is launched nationally in early 2010.

beSmart Training is hoping to offer this qualification when it is officially launched next year.  Watch this space for more info when it becomes available.  All beSmart Training’s courses are on our website at www.besmart-training.co.uk.