British Institute of Innkeeping wins “grandfather rights” for its doorstaff qualification from the Security Industry Authority
16-Apr-2003
Molly Meacher, head of the newly-launched Security Industry Authority (SIA), announced on April 2, that doorstaff who hold the BII’s National Certificate for Door Supervisors – Licensed Premises (NCDS) will not have to re-train to comply with new regulations.
The SIA was officially launched this week. It is a Government watchdog tasked with regulating the security industry, including pub and club doorstaff, and will be introducing a new system of national licensing, expected to be in place by 2005.
To obtain a licence, which will be fully portable, doorstaff will have to pass a criminal record check and hold an appropriate qualification. The NCDS is the only existing qualification that fully satisfies the requirements of the new system.
The qualification consists of five modules, covering basic legal responsibilities and good practice including first aid and conflict management.
Speaking at the SIA launch event in London this week Ms Meacher said: "Door supervisors who have a certificate issued within the past three years by an existing door supervisors awarding body will be exempt from the knowledge-based exam.
"Any door supervisor who does not have the BII or equivalent communication skills and conflict management certificate must take the approved course and assessment in those skills."
The BII is also working in partnership with City & Guilds and national awarding body NCFE to design a new qualification appropriate to the new licensing system once it is in place (see attached release for further information).
Cathie Smith, Director of Qualifications at the BII, said: "This is fantastic news for us and for our members, many of whom have already put their doorstaff through our qualification.
"We welcome moves by the SIA to regulate door supervisors and improve standards within the sector. Doorstaff have had a bad reputation in the past thanks to a minority of disreputable operators and we hope that the SIA regulations will help turn this around.
"Doorstaff in pubs are often the first and last people that the customer sees and can make or break a pub’s reputation. With the right training they can improve the experience for the customer as well as ensuring a safe night out."
Notes to Editors
The BII is the professional body for the licensed trade. It has around 15,500 members and last year BIIAB processed over 80,000 qualifications. Its mission is to promote high standards of professionalism throughout the licensed retail sector; to encourage new entrants into the industry, and to help them develop their long term careers. To provide all our members with high quality information, skills and qualifications to help them succeed in their business activities.
Ref: ES/BII/PR0675
Email: erica@bii.org
Contact: Erica Snedker, Communications Executive on 01276 417805 or Caroline Nodder, Corporate Communications Manager on 01276 417838/07
