Gambling news (yawn) and something about qualifications

It's been a little while since the last post but that's only because nothing newsworthy has been going on in the licensing world. The soap opera concerning the Premises Licence review at Jane Seymour's pad has been gleefully reported in some quarters but I'm declaring myself above that.

Instead, as of midnight tonight, children and vulnerable people will be better protected, crime will be cut and games will be kept fair. Praise be to the Gambling Act 2005! Rejoice! Etc!

Now, I don't want to cover gambling too much on this blog because, quite frankly, it doesn't interest me. I don't like the thought of having to learn about a new Act to see what's changed but I suppose I'll get around to it when it suits. That's fine for me, but pity the poor beleaguered local authorities - the Act will be

empowering more than 1500 licensing officers (alongside 50 specialist Gambling Commission compliance officers) to inspect gambling premises to enforce the new laws.

Which for those authorities still struggling to issue Premises Licences almost two years on (naming no names, I'm not that heartless) is surely not good news for any of the parties concerned.

There's more information on this momentous event via a DCMS Press Release and a barely more informative Media Fact Pack.

In other, more interesting, news - a comment piece in the Guardian's Education section has come to my attention. I've never really considered the meaning of the name given to every Personal Licence holder's favourite qualification but this journalist has.

As you'll know it's called the Level 2 National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. Well, it seems that a 'Level 2' qualification is meant to be equivalent to a GCSE at grade A*-C. Seeing as how one of the government's policies is to get everyone qualified to this 'Level 2' the journalist queries whether this really is an equivalent qualification and

If it is, my advice to the government is to dump the demanding GCSE, with the endless study it involves, and put everyone in for the level 2 national certificate for personal licence holders. At a stroke - well, it would need a few days - the government will have achieved quite a large part of its aim to get everyone qualified to level 2. Our skills profile will have improved internationally and we'll have a substantial pool of skilled people to call on to help sell alcohol.

He's got a point y'know.

Share This Post