BIIAB gains Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Part A accreditation

10-Jan-2001

BIIAB, the awarding body wholly-owned by the British Institute of Innkeeping, has gained its Part A accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland. This means the Institute’s qualifications can now join the National Framework and become part of the country’s public examination system.

BIIAB director Mary Curnock Cook OBE said: “This is a great step forward for professionalism in our sector. This industry deserves the recognition of government approved qualifications to underpin the existing career structure and develop it further.”

Part A accreditation shows that, having been assessed against rigid criteria set by the Government, BIIAB meets the expected standards to be recognised nationally as a professional and reputable awarding body. Part A must be gained prior to submitting individual qualifications for accreditation. Qualifications accepted into the framework will become the national benchmark for career progression and are also eligible for public funding.

Curnock Cook said: “It is all about integrity. Gaining QCA accreditation was crucial for BIIAB to show exactly why properly structured qualifications are one step ahead of hastily concocted courses. A BII qualification is a valuable achievement for licensees, recognised throughout the sector. Now government too recognises that licensed retail needs a professional career structure.”

Curnock Cook continued: “This could be the final curtain for worthless tests and certificates of attendance – and those that issue lookalike Institute qualifications will find them a lot harder to sell when they lack the QCA seal of approval.” ends]

Note to Editors: The first qualifications to be submitted will be the National Licensee’s Certificate (on, off and part four), the Door Supervisor’s National Certificate Stage One and the Entertainment Licensee’s National Certificate. Four of BIIAB’s Advanced Qualifications will also be submitted – Financial Management, Catering, Business Development and Practical Trainer.




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Contact For more information, please contact: Claire Nutter, External Affairs Support Executive, tel 01276 417805, e-mail claire@bii.org or Georgina Wald, Public Relations Manager, tel 01276 417838 / 07831 299801, e-mail george@bii.org.