OurNews - Archive

BHS, the High Street retailer is now training its staff for Personal Licences with CPL in England and Wales. Previously, CPL Training provided Personal Licence training just for the SCPLH in Scotland but has now expanded its training provision to the rest of the 185 UK stores.

The National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) qualification is now just over five years old and has had a huge take-up since Quarter 1 2005, when personal licence courses were sat by just 2,410 people. In total, as of the end of 2009, over 380,000 people have sat the personal licence course and NCPLH qualification in England and Wales.

For CPL Training, as the biggest provider of personal licence courses, making this training available has involved a huge logistical exercise, as indeed it has for the many smaller providers collectively. Although the number of people sitting personal licence courses has now fallen from its peak in Quarter 4 2005, when 34,998 NCPLH certificates were awarded, to around 15,000 per quarter at present, personal licence courses and the NCPLH qualification are still very popular!

CPL has over 70 venues where personal licence courses are available on a monthly, scheduled basis. We will run over 840 personal licence courses in 2010.

From August 2010 the name of the qualification that people are examined for at the end of a personal licence course will change from NCPLH to APLH – the level 2 Award for Personal licence Holders. This name change reflects changes to the way in which government regulators now wish to name qualifications. Learners sitting personal licence courses will still sit a 40 question multiple-choice examination at the end of the course.

CPL Training is now the approved Personal Licence training provider for Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema group.

With 78 cinemas around the UK, 50 sites have licensed bars for deluxe screenings and conferencing facilities. Staff at these venues have to take their Personal Licence training course in order to sell alcohol and, as the only national training solution for the NCPLH, CPL is the ideal partner.

Local entrepreneur and founder of CPL Training has been named Businessman of the Year at the annual Wirral Investment Network (WiN) awards.

Daniel accepted the top award from Mark Sotherbury of category sponsor, The Manufacturing Advisory Service, at the packed event held at a luxury outdoor marquee on the grounds of Birkenhead School in Wirral.

In presenting the award, the judges recognised Daniels bid to ‘grow the business with dedication and diversity’ and host Roger Philips commented:

“Daniel launched the business when he was 18 years old and his strong, driven, entrepreneurial leadership style has ensured that CPL Training has become a well recognised brand with an unparalleled reputation as professional, trusted and forward thinking, known nationally as a centre of excellence for training and support services.”

CPL Training was recently presented with the Judges Choice Award at the Liverpool Daily Post Business Awards and was thrilled to receive a second award at the WiN event. Daniel said: “This was a real honour for me. As a local guy, it’s fantastic to see both my own and the wider business achievements being recognised at a Wirral-based business event. There were two other very strong candidates nominated for this award which makes this accolade all the more rewarding.”

Daniel has also been shortlisted in the IoD’s Liverpool Director of the Year category, with the results set to be announced later this year.

Our recruitment division, CPL Recruitment, are currently looking for a number of ambitious, pro-active employees who thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Recruitment Consultant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self motivated, dedicated individual to join an existing and successful sales force in our Recruitment Department. The ideal candidate will be a strong relationship builder with good sales skills and have the adaptability to work in a variety of sectors. The role will be split between generating new business and maintaining and managing the existing client base.

Recruitment Resourcer

Working within a dynamic and growing department, our Recruitment Department is currently looking for a Recruitment Resourcer to join their expanding team. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to move into recruitment as individuals will be given the opportunity to push their career forward and develop themselves.

For further information on both roles please email Andrew Rannard, Head of Recruitment andrew.rannard@cpltraining.co.uk

CPL Training has teamed-up with Garage Watch to provide NCPLH and other training for staff working for independent petrol retailers. Commenting on the agreement Garage Watch’s editor Mark Bradshaw said: "If you sell alcohol from your forecourt shop, make sure you always have a trained personal licence holder on the premises at all times. Anyone applying for a personal licence must have taken a one-day training course leading to the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) qualification."

Hailing the agreement CPL training's Head of UK Compliance, Paul Chase said: We're delighted to become the preferred supplier of NCPLH training to Garage Watch readers. With over 70 training venues nationwide where NCPLH training is available on a monthly basis, we’ve always got a venue and date near to where Garage Watch readers live or work. We also have a range of e-learning courses available online in things like Fire Marshal training, food safety and underage sales prevention – so there’s lots of good-value training available for Mark’s readers."

An SCPLH course for a mobile bar business has opened up a range of opportunities for one CPL candidate.

John Codona runs a mobile bar business with a twist – his mobile bar comes with a life-sized inflatable pub with flooring, lighting and garden furniture! When he took the SCPLH course he realised that there were lots more business opportunities for his inflatable pub with Scottish Occasional Licences - the equivalent in England and Wales is the Temporary Event Notice.

Working with CPL trainer and Licensing Consultant, Celine Davenport, he has targeted the local hire market for the smaller inflatable pub (which holds 30 people) and the festival and charity event market for the larger inflatable pub (which holds 80 people). Already business has “inflated” faster than he anticipated with a particular market in unusual weddings.

Let’s hope that no-one “spikes” their drinks in the inflatable pub!

Find out more at www.popupbarservices.co.uk

When you're an award winning bar chain with over 1800 members of staff across 60 sites how do you keep up to date with your compliance training – that 'must-do', due diligence stuff that will keep your customers and business alive?

In trial and then in operation for across the Revolution chain, the new E-Learning courses have already seen hundreds of registered users and completed courses so far. Ioan Eyton-Jones, the Brand Standards Manager for Inventive Leisure with responsibility for E-Learning across the business, is keen to stress the advantages for the operator and said: "CPL Training has developed the online courses hand-in-hand with us. Their system is accessed through our intranet and is linked directly to our HR and payroll functions. As soon as someone new starts in our business it flags them up and they have six weeks to complete the Health and Safety and Food Safety courses that are mandatory for our business. On-site training managers can monitor when the course was taken, how long it took them, how many attempts it took to pass the course and then their percentage pass rate."

Ioan says he has seen a substantial reduction of around £12k in his training costs this year and sees his ultimate goal as moving to a paper-free system, where the administration of both face-to-face training and E-Learning is one system. "I’d make substantial savings straight away just from the annual cost of printing and storage of printed materials."

For more information about taking any of the online courses or bespoke solutions please go to: www.cple-learning.co.uk or call 0151 650 6910.

CPL E-Learning brings food safety level 2, health and safety level 2, manual handling, fire marshalling and the Scottish Award for Licensed Premises Staff to an online audience for a much reduced rate of between £30 - £35 per course.

From August 2010, the NCPLH will be renamed Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH). The change comes as a result of a strategy to simplify qualifications in a new framework.

The APLH will continue to be delivered as a one-day course with a 40 question multiple-choice exam at the end of it.

Changes to policy designed to simplify qualifications resulted in the creation of 'Ofqual' as the qualifications regulator, and a new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) to replace National Database of Accredited Qualifications.

Paul Chase, Director and Head of UK Compliance at CPL Training has led the discussion with other awarding bodies, on behalf of awarding body EDI, to create a new ‘shared unit’ for NCPLH. This will sit at Level 2 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework. This has involved migration of the existing NCPLH qualification, with some amendments, from NDAQ onto the new QCF. The discussions on the new Unit have been chaired by Angela Yahaya of People 1st, who fully support the submission to QCF.

How does the QCF work?

Under the new QCF every unit and qualification in the framework will have a credit value (one credit represents 10 notional learning hours, showing how much time and effort it takes to complete) and a level between ‘entry’ and level 8 (showing how difficult it is).

There are three sizes of qualifications in the QCF:

• Awards (between 1 and 12 credits)
• Certificates (between 13 and 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more)

In the new framework an 'Award' can be from entry level to level 8. This is because the qualification type (award, certificate or diploma) represents the size of the qualification, not how difficult it is. The degree of difficulty is represented by the level – 'Level 1', 'Level 2' and so on. The title of a qualification will indicate how difficult it is, how long it will take the average learner to complete, and its general content.

Leading training provider, CPL Training, has been presented with the Judges Choice Award at the LDP Awards, widely regarded as Merseyside's most prestigious event in the annual business calendar.

At a glittering and packed out ceremony, sponsored by KPMG and DLP Piper, and held at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, CPL's Chief executive Daniel Davies accepted the award on behalf of the company from Daily Post Business Editor, Bill Gleeson.

The Liverpool Daily Post Judges Choice Award was made to CPL Training for its enterprise, energy, diversification and overseas expansion.

The judges said: "The pure commitment, enterprise and effort shown by this business deserved commendation at this year's awards."

CPL Training was also shortlisted for the NWDA Medium Business of the Year in what was described as a 'close fought category'.

Daniel said: "It is a real honour to receive this award and is a true testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of each business team within CPL Training."

"The past three years has seen us diversify and expand, entering new markets and using our traditional skill sets to penetrate new growth areas for us – I am delighted that the judges have recognised our efforts and look forward to taking the business to the next level and consolidating our position as one of the UK's leading training providers."

Keith Thompson joined us recently in the new position of Group Sales Director.

He moved from Tribal in Manchester, where he worked as a director for three and a half years. Keith's career in marketing and business services has involved work with a number of public sector bodies including local and central government, law enforcement and the NHS as well as experience in the commercial sector with firms like Orange, NPower and British Gas.

In Keith's new role he will be responsible for sales across all divisions of CPL; from hospitality and compliance training to international training and recruitment services. He aims to enable cohesive growth across the business and ensure that the CPL offer is most appropriate to the market.

Daniel Davies, Chief Executive of CPL commented: "Keith joins us with considerable experience across both private and public sectors. He and his team are an important part of our continued growth and diversification."

Staff at leading training provider, CPL Training, are opting for two wheels rather than four to get them to work, as part of a new company wide initiative.

Ten team members have signed up to the government driven 'MyCycle2Work' scheme whereby employers are asked to hire a bike on behalf of staff wanting to change the way they travel to and from work, contributing monthly through their salary and with optional one off fee for full ownership after 12 months.

Advisors from cycling superstore, Giant, in Liverpool have brought along a range of bikes to CPL's Wirral based headquarters in Egerton House for people to try out and ask questions. With a choice of up to 300 bikes on offer, styles range from Giant TranceX4 mountain bike at maximum spend of £1,000 to the Brompton, a handy fold up light weight bike that can be easily carried on and off trains and buses.

Daniel Davies, CPL Chief Executive said: "We want to support staff looking to make considered changes in their lifestyle and have made this scheme as simple as possible for them to sign up to. We are also keen to operate a sustainable business and hope initiatives such as this help reduce our carbon footprint, minimising the impact our operation may have on the environment as much as possible."

Staff are expected to take delivery of their new wheels in June. One immediate sign up to the scheme was, CPL's Mel Boonstra she said: "I’ve been thinking about getting a bike for a while and using it to get to work but this offer has moved things forward for me. I'm looking forward to exercising more and want cycling to become part of my daily routine."

CPL Training also operates a car share scheme and is currently working towards gaining accreditation for the BS 8555, British Standard for Environmental Management.

CPL Chief Executive, Dan Davies, presented an award to Charles Wells Pub Company from Bedfordshire at the pub industry’s “Oscars”, The Publican Awards recently.

The awards were held at a top London hotel, The Grosvenor House on Park Lane and were attended by over 1200 operators and suppliers from the pub industry.

As sponsors of the Pub Company of the Year (in the tenanted and leased sector with more than 200 outlets), Dan was on stage with compère for the night and popular comedian, Michael McIntyre. Anthony Wallis, Managing Director, Peter Wells, Pub Company Sales and Marketing Director and Richard Burt, Commercial and Property Director for Charles Wells joined them to receive their award on behalf of the business which was described as: “A traditional company that is modernising for the future, it is clearly in touch with its tenants, ensuring every pub has support levels to help them survive and thrive”

The other finalists were, Marston’s Pub Company from Staffordshire, who were highly commended, Shepherd Neame from Kent and Trust Inns from Lancashire.

Congratulations to them all!

Pictured (Left to Right): Michael McIntyre, Anthony Wallis, Peter Wells, Richard Burt and Dan Davies.

Our IT team hit the local headlines in the Liverpool Daily Post this week with an article in the Business section about the new E-Learning platform.

With an investment of £0.5 million and an additional 10 staff on the project we have commissioned a truly global team of expert code writers, graphic designers and 3d animators to produce a suite of highly relevant and interactive courses. We can now offer a full turn-key solution to retail operators and are the only training provider to span face-to-face and E-Learning courses on this scale and at this level of quality.

CPL's IT Director, Dave Dasher and his team put together this moody photo on a local dockside bridge near Egerton House which is their homage to Quentin Tarrantino's film Reservoir Dogs. None of the guys are owning up to being "Mr. Pink"

Our intrepid Marathon runner and Marketing Manager, Dave Brown made it through the London Marathon last Sunday in 4 hours, 31 minutes and those all-important 52 seconds. He has raised over £2,000 for his chosen charity, Clatterbridge Cancer Research.

Clatterbridge Cancer Research is a charitable organisation committed to advancing the regional fight against cancer. For nearly 30 years they have been working in the North West of England funding world class research into preventing and diagnosing cancer and how to treat it with the most effective ongoing care. Dave explained the connection by adding: "They are treating my Dad through his fight against lung cancer since being diagnosed last year. He’s doing ok and is now checking on me since I did the run, rather than the other way around. It was amazing to hear that my parents saw me on TV running over the London Tower Bridge!"

Leading training provider, CPL Training, has been shortlisted for three prestigious business awards.

The Wirral-based firm has made the final three in the, 'SME of the Year', category in the Daily Post's Business Awards, also making the shortlist under the same category in the annual Wirral Investment Network (WiN) Business Awards.

Daniel Davies, CPL Training's Chief Executive has also be named as one of three vying for WiN's coveted 'Business Person of the Year' award.

CPL Training has expanded its operation significantly during the past five years, creating jobs locally and nationally, investing heavily in growth areas and launching new business divisions as part of an ambitious long-term development strategy.

Daniel Davies said: "We're really pleased to have achieved this type of recognition locally. We've worked hard during the past few years to consolidate the business and establish ourselves as a major national and international training provider.

"We look forward to attending both award ceremonies and fingers crossed, we'll enjoy more good news on the night!"

We are offering a free online course for anyone who books a national Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH).

Book an NCPLH with CPL Training for just £130 + vat and candidates will receive an online Health & Safety or Food Safety course absolutely free. This offer is available through April and May while stocks last by calling 0845 833 1835 quoting 'free online course offer'.

The online courses are two of seven online compliance courses available from the CPL e-learning website, www.cple-learning.co.uk at a fraction of the cost of face-to-face training courses.

Dave Brown, our Design & Marketing Manager at CPL, is training hard at the moment for the London Marathon on 25 April in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Research and his Dad.

Clatterbridge Cancer Research is a charitable organisation committed to advancing the regional fight against cancer. For nearly 30 years they have been working in the North West of England funding world class research into preventing and diagnosing cancer and how to treat it with the most effective ongoing care.

Dave explained the connection by adding: "They are treating my Dad through his fight against lung cancer since being diagnosed last year. I've spent a lot of time there in the last year so they are very close to my heart. This will be my first attempt at a marathon and is a definite attempt to prove something to myself as well."

If you would like to sponsor Dave, go to: http://www.justgiving/davecbrown

We're pleased to learn that we have just been shortlisted for the Liverpool Daily Post's Regional Business Awards with the winners to be announced in May.

We are shortlisted for The NWDA Medium Business of the Year, for companies with 51 to 250 employees, and are up against a specialist waste collection and recycling firm, B&M Waste Services and a call centre business, The Contact Company.

CEO for CPL Training, Dan Davies said: "We're proud to be part of the thriving business community in the North West and are delighted to be recognised by our peers in this way."

Liverpool-born former cabinet minister Steven Norris will be the keynote speaker for the event to be held at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on 27th May.

Accredited by Education Development International (EDI)
Gain the qualification needed to teach publicly funded courses.

Course Summary:Minimum 5 day course that satisfies the government requirement for teachers, tutors and trainers to hold an award in preparing to teach in the life long learning sector.

Who should take this qualification?
Anyone who needs an initial award for their role as a teacher or trainer in the lifelong learning sector or those who want to teach in an FE College, tutor in an Adult and Community Learning Centre or be a trainer for a learning provider.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the one mandatory unit, learners will have demonstrated that they are able to:

• Understand the teacher's role and legislative requirements
• Understand appropriate teaching and learning approaches
• Demonstrate session planning skills
• Deliver and evaluate learning
• Understand the use of assessment methods and reasons for keeping records of assessment

Assessment: Assessment by submission of portfolio

Duration: Minimum 5 days

Cost: £450 per person

To apply for this course please contact Mel Boonstra on 0151 650 6910, you can also email your details or complete the form on our contact page.

Catch up on all our news with our latest copy of our newsletter, Aspire. This time our Chief Executive, Daniel Davies is talking about breaking down barriers to learning and information through this millennium’s most powerful new force; the Internet.

To view the Spring 2010 edition click here.

Daniel Davies, our Chief Executive, was involved in the judging of one of The Publican Awards recently.

CPL Training is sponsoring The Tenanted/Leased Pub Company of the Year (with 200 or more pubs) and met all the finalists at a grueling panel interview in London. Charles Wells Pub Company, Marston’s Pub Company, Shepherd Neame and Trust Inns are all in the running and Dan said that the standard was extremely high. He added: "Given the threat of the Business and Enterprise Committee Report, everyone involved in this sector has made a huge effort to review and improve their businesses. It was a tough decision."

The final awards will be presented in London on 21st April.

In a move designed to bring new people into the hospitality industry, CPL is working with the employment services sector to train long term unemployed people for work.

The Steps2Work programme is an intensive two-week programme covering the NCPLH or Door Supervision qualifications with literacy and numeracy skills embedded into the course programmes. So far 700 unemployed learners have been on courses since April giving them basic skills they have never had before.

Head of Welfare to Work , Gary Bennett, added: "Our Steps2Work programme breaks down barriers to employment for many people who have written themselves off. We work through the numeracy and literacy elements of the course using real examples from the licensed retail and security sectors."

We've updated it for 2010 to reflect the expanding nature of our business and we've had some nicer photographs taken too! There are some testimonials from happy customers, a new section on NVQs and our Steps2Work programme as well as the usual course information and booking facility. Let us know what you think.

A suite of compliance qualifications has been launched online as a flexible alternative to face to face training.

The newly created division, CPL e-Learning complements the core face-to-face training business but aims to improve accessibility, flexibility and cost effectiveness for a stretched licensed retail workforce.

A review of current online learning products revealed that course content is often delivered in a patronising style with child-like graphics and no obvious benefit beyond reading a course handbook. So, in creating the CPL e-learning courses, a truly global team of expert code writers, graphic designers and 3d animators were brought together. They have produced interactive, relevant learning materials that are appropriate to adult professional learners.

Food safety level 2, health and safety level 2, manual handling, fire marshalling and the Scottish Award for Licensed Premises Staff are now available to an online audience for a fraction of the cost of face-to-face training.

IT Director for CPL, David Dasher commented: "We are the only training provider to span face-to-face and e-Learning courses on this scale and at this quality."

For more information about taking any of the online courses and a short trial demonstration, please go to: www.cple-learning.co.uk.

Trials with the Revolution bar chain have already resulted in a new contract to supply their online learning platform for 18,000 qualifications in the first year. The CPL e-Learning system is embedded into Revolution’s staff website and is linked to their HR system to ensure that every new member of staff falls into the e-Learning regime.

We wish all customers old and new avery Merry Christmas and a safe, exciting and productive New Year. We will be working through the holiday period on our all new website, we hope to implement this over the next month. Sign up to our newsletter to be kept up to date with the launch.

2010 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for us, with many new areas of the company to be launched including our new e-learning department.

CPL Training staff Dave Brown, Shaun Rhead, Ian Wilkins and Sarah McDermott took part in the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce 5k Team Challenge on Sunday 20th September.

More than 1,000 Corporate Athletes took part in the 5K Team Challenge.

Dave Brown, CPL Training's Design & Marketing manager said: "We wanted to do something that would be a fun team event and that would raise much needed funds for Liverpool Chamber’s Charity of the Year, Nugent Care."

"We thought this would a perfect fundraiser to support. Getting fit to take part in the team run has been an added bonus as I am running the 2010 London Marathon too!"

Team CPL Training finished in 19th place overall out of 59 in their category with a combined time of 99 minutes 33 seconds.

Now in its second year, the 5k run is along a stunning riverside course past some of the city's most iconic buildings.

For more information on future events contact Alan Rothwell on 0151 709 1413 or email alan.rothwell@btconnect.com. You can pick up entry forms for other runs from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Reception, One Old Hall Street, Liverpool or enter on the Run Liverpool website.

CPL Training team runner Shaun Rhead draws out the leading pack at the start of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce 5k Team Challenge:

Once again CPL has teamed up with The Publican magazine to sponsor one of the awards at their renowned annual celebration of the best of the best in on-licensed retail. We are sponsoring the Pub Company of the Year - Tenanted / Leased 200+ outlets category and will be involved in the judging process from start to finish.

Daniel Davies, CEO for CPL Training commented: “Entering and winning an award is all about reaching the pinnacle in your chosen career so CPL Training is delighted to join the celebrations with The Publican and recognise those life-changing moments.”

You can now follow us on various Social Networking websites to keep up to speed with everything we do to help you attain the very best standards through training. Follow us on:

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CPL Training, has announced two new key appointments to strengthen their on-trade team.

Ex-Greenalls MD and industry expert, Trevor Upton, will join as a non-executive director. Trevor worked with Grand Met and then Greenalls where he created a Pub, Restaurants & Lodge division called Premier House. Having met with Daniel Davies of CPL he was so impressed by his desire to improve the training within the Hospitality Industry that he was prepared to give up some of his retirement leisure time to join CPL Training.

Meanwhile Terri Hardy will join the corporate sales team in a business development role as well as running some training courses for CPL Training. Terri brings a wealth of experience in the training/HR function and has held a variety of commercial and HR roles for some of the industry's best known companies such as Whitbread, Marston's, Enterprise Inns and Greene King.

Chief Executive, Daniel Davies commented: "We're working closely with pub operators to provide solutions for their training requirements so I am delighted to welcome two such experienced practitioners to the business. I know they will enhance the long-term partnership approach that we are developing with our customers."

Click here to find out more about tenancy and leased opportunities from Admiral Taverns.

Somerfield have been working with CPL Training to prepare for the new Scottish licensing regime.

Over 400 staff at their stores in Scotland have passed the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) so far and are now receiving a new Personal Licence from their relevant licensing authority.

Training for the retailer began in February and courses are being taken at the nearest CPL Training location. Somerfield then have further in-house training planned to cover the requirement for staff training in the new licensing regime.

Suzanne Smith, Corporate Sales Director for CPL Training said: "We are delighted to work with Somerfield on this project. Given the scale of the business in Scotland, CPL Training was one of the few providers who could undertake the task. In addition to our eighteen training centres across Scotland we are also able to provide bespoke training clients who have the space and numbers for a course."

Shearings Hotels are blazing a trail by educating their frontline staff in the sale of alcohol. In partnership with CPL Training, they have launched a staff training programme for any staff involved in the sale of alcohol.

Whilst this isn't a current requirement in England and Wales, it is becoming mandatory in the new Scottish licensing regime from 1st September. There are noises from Government to suggest that England and Wales may follow the same route.

Shearings Hotels have already adopted the Scottish Award for Licensed Premises Staff (SALPS) for their Scottish hotels but will also roll out a version of the award to their hotels in England and Wales too over the next few months.

With CPL they have developed "ALPS" in response - the Award for Licensed Premises Staff. This will complement the knowledge and qualifications of the three or four employees who already have the NCPLH or SCPLH at each location.

Hylda Stewart, HR and Training Manager for Shearings commented: "We're looking for a consistent approach across all of our staff in the UK, but this award also makes great business sense too. I'm keen that all our frontline staff are aware of their social responsibility in selling alcohol as well as their legal duty of care."

Shearings Holidays is one of the UK's leading holiday companies specialising in holidays for the mature customer. Shearings Holidays employs around 3,000 staff throughout the group, which includes a chain of 49 hotels throughout Britain and at least 200 will take the new award.

"Hugh turned a potentially arduous and brain numbing day into a relaxed and informative experience."

Pub operator, Admiral Taverns, was extremely positive recently following an NCPLH (National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders) course for new licensees.

The NCPLH is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to run a pub and sets out to provide them with a clear understanding of the framework of law and regulation that underpins the responsibilities of the personal licence holder.

Rather than making this a dry, technical day, CPL Training sets out to explain all aspects of the course through examples of real-life situations in a light-hearted manner that everyone will digest and remember.

Pete Mills, from Admiral Taverns Recruitment Department, sat the course in Chester with some new licensees and was full of praise for Hugh Chase, the trainer for the day and said: "Everyone felt comfortable in the room, which was packed, and were happy to ask questions if there was something they didn't understand."

He added: "I think that a lot of people will go home feeling confident about running a pub of their own and dealing with any inevitable issues or problems associated with working in this trade."

Anyone interested in attending an NCPLH course can call 0151 650 6911 or book online here

Leading training provider, CPL Training, has been named runner up at the prestigious National Business Awards.

Considered the, "National Business Oscars" throughout the business community, CPL Training has been short-listed in the Tenon Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit category which celebrates creative, entrepreneurial drive and innovation.

The company was recognised for its recent strategy of diversification and growth in the face of changing market conditions. During the past year, CPL Training has successfully entered a series of new sectors, launching an international division, specialist security training arm and NVQ branch.

A team from CPL Training joined representatives from other national and regional brand names at a ceremony held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Hosted by Andrew Marr and sponsored by the Daily Telegraph and Orange, guests on the night included Secretary of State, Peter Mandelson and HRH, The Earl of Wessex.

Daniel Davies, CPL Training chief executive said: "To be part of the National Business Awards, and to be short-listed in the entrepreneur category, is a fantastic achievement for CPL Training. During the past year, we have re-focused our business model, steering us towards new growth sectors whilst re-affirming our position as number one training provider to the licensed trade.

"To see the company recognised as entrepreneurial and successful at this level is a great honor and real coup for us all."

Brian Davidson from the Garden House Hotel in Gretna and 8 of his staff took the SCPLH course recently with CPL Training and declared the course a "business necessity ".

Whilst the SCPLH is a mandatory requirement for personal licence applicants under the new Scottish licensing regime, Brian felt that it was also an ideal business development course, helping to identify new opportunities for the business as well as highly motivational for his team.

The training course provides each delegate with a clear understanding of the framework of law and regulation that underpins the responsibilities of the personal licence holder.

Brian explained further: "It was one of the best training sessions I have ever experienced, not only was the trainer, Hugh Chase, superb, but we also clarified many grey areas, such as the law in relation to 16-17 year olds being allowed to serve behind the bar, as well as learning lots of new information. People might be unhappy about doing a day's training to gain their personal licence, but in my experience, it was first class and well worth it!"

CPL Training Scotland is running SCPLH courses each month in 15 venues across the country for £125 per person (with 15% discount for 3 or more staff).

Call CPL Training Scotland about courses on 0141 359 5659

Wirral based, CPL Training, is celebrating having secured a number of long term training contracts with national employment agencies and local authorities through its recently launched NVQ arm.

The company, considered the UK's leading provider of training to the licensed industries, is beginning to reap the rewards of a year long strategy of diversification that has seen CPL Training open both the NVQ arm and an international division, whose primary focus is on the Middle East.

The move into the NVQ market has been piloted in Wirral and Liverpool to huge success and during 2008, the company trained over 400 people in various disciplines including hospitality, legislation, health and safety and cleaning.

CPL Training has grown its NVQ arm to a team of over 20 people this year, most working both on and off site supporting employers and employees through the learning and training process in support of the NVQ accreditation.

Daniel Davies, CPL Training Chief Executive said: "There is a definite gap in the market for this type of service both within Merseyside and nationally. We have taken our knowledge and understanding of training in closely related areas and applied this to the NVQ sector which has worked out extremely well. We now aim to roll this service out nationally, using the experience gained through our work local."

The Plungington Tavern in Preston was crowned Best Training Pub of the Year at the 2008 Great British Pub Awards in September and the award was sponsored and judged by CPL Training.

Chosen from six finalists from around the UK, Graham Rowson was chosen as the overall winner for developing four core training modules driven by CD and supplemented by oral instruction for all of his staff but also local licensees new to the industry. The modules cover crucial areas such as health and safety, First aid, basic bar work and cellar maintenance. "There is no substitute for training," says Graham. "Efficient, knowledgeable staff are the back bone of any successful pub business and the value proper training gives is incalculable."

Graham and Angela Rowson collected their award from TV comedian, Hugh Dennis, Suzanne Smith, Corporate Sales Director for CPL Training and Morning Advertiser Editor, Andrew Pring.

CPL Training has been short listed in the National Business Awards for The Tenon Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit.

This award recognises successful entrepreneurial businesses that have shown creativity, innovation and have overcome barriers with entrepreneurial drive and determination. All finalists who have been short listed showcase the contribution that entrepreneurs throughout the UK are making to today's economy.

The winners of each category will be announced and presented with their trophy on stage during the Awards Ceremony & Dinner on the 18th November 2008, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Daniel Davies, Chief Executive for CPL Training said: "We're incredibly proud that the business has been short-listed for a National Business Award. We have enjoyed constant growth over the last few years with a team of dedicated, hard-working people whilst we have strived to stay one step ahead of the market. We're in a tough category against some formidable competition so being judged alongside them is a tremendous honour."

CPL Training's Chief Executive Daniel Davies has been voted Merseyside's Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

In recognition of the fact the professional services sector relies on those unique individuals prepared to take risks and build businesses, the Liverpool Professionals Awards includes a Young Entrepreneur Award.

This year's winner was Daniel Davies. A dynamic individual with a clear vision, drive, determination and ability to achieve all business goals and aspirations, Daniel'' passion for CPL Training has driven the company to become the sector leader it is today.

Wirral-born licensing leaders, Daniel Davies, Chief Executive of CPL Training and Inventive Leisure Chief Executive, Roy Ellis, have joined forces to implement a national training strategy for all of Inventive Leisure's Revolution bars. The 55-strong Revolution bar chain, a recent winner in the prestigious Publican awards, appointed CPL Training as its preferred training provider for all licensing training including the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH), the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH), and the National Diploma for Designated Premises Supervisors (NDDPS).

CPL Training, the UK's leading provider of training to the licensed retail sector, has to date trained over 250 Inventive Leisure staff. CPL currently operates 70 training venues throughout the UK and delegates are able to select a training venue local to them. Daniel Davies commented: "I'm pleased that our companies are able to collaborate on a national basis. Revolution Bars is one of the UK's most well established and recognisable brands, whilst CPL Training is the market leader within its field. This successful collaboration has developed through a mutual understanding of the synergies that can be achieved by a national bar chain and a national training provider working together."

CPL TRAINING MAKE MARK AT GREAT BRITISH PUB AWARDS

CPL Training, the UK's leading provider of personal licence training, has announced its category sponsorship of this year's Great British Pub Awards. These prestigious Morning Advertiser led awards are designed to recognise excellence in licensed retailing across the sector. CPL Training is set to sponsor the Best Programme for Pub Staff Training award which will be presented to the pub that has done most to develop the skills of its staff.

Held at the London Hilton on Park Lane in September, the awards are considered one of the highlights in the industry calendar. Suzanne Smith, Corporate Director of CPL Training said: "The Best Programme for Pub Staff Training is a new award being launched this year. CPL training has worked closely with the MA to develop this award as we felt that it was important to mark the achievements of publicans in training and developing their people. The category winner will be chosen after reviewing evidence of best practice in dealing with customers, perfect pour, product knowledge and individual career progression."

The UK's leading independent drinks retailer, the Thresher Group, has announced the completion of personal licence training for its 1,000th member of staff, the culmination of an 18-month partnership with leading training provider, CPL Training.

Philip Loring, head of Thresher Central Operations and CPL Training Chairman, Paul Chase met 1,000th candidate, Chloe Ayers, at the Thresher store in St Albans store to personally congratulate her, marking the occasion with a celebratory bottle of champagne.

Paul Chase, CPL Training Chairman said: "This is a real landmark that illustrates the excellent working relationship between CPL Training and Thresher. Our skills, experience and understanding of the licensed-retail sector, and the expert delivery of our flagship qualification, the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH), has enabled us to meet all of the criteria established by Thresher at the outset."

The collaboration between the two organisations was established in 2006 with the aim of consolidating Thresher's training activity, ensuring that relevant team members could access personal licence training quickly, and at venues local to their stores.

CPL Training is the UK's largest licensed-retail training provider, and currently operates 54 training venues throughout England and Wales from which the NCPLH is available. A further 14 venues have recently been opened in Scotland from which the new Scottish personal licence course will be delivered.

Philip Loring, head of Central Operations for the Thresher Group said: "The Thresher Group operates over 1800 stores in the UK and the new Licensing Act requires us to make a significant investment in staff and training. Our partnership with CPL has proved to be very successful, enabling us to concentrate on the recruitment of staff in the knowledge that CPL can deliver a consistent, high quality training package throughout the UK.

CPL Trainings founder and chief executive, Daniel Davies, has been selected as one of the brightest business people in the North West of England by leading business magazine, Insider.

Its annual award focuses on the 42 individuals under 42 years of age that it believes are contributing most towards the region's development.

Daniel Davies said: "It's great to receive this level of recognition, both on a personal level and in terms of the company as a whole."

CPL Training has been providing licensee training in Scotland since July 2007 at two training venues, in Edinburgh and in Glasgow. We aim to open another three centres - in Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee by October this year, creating local availability in all of Scotland's main population centres.

A CPL Scotland office will also be established so that we can co-ordinate training in Scotland and provide a first class service to Scottish learners. CPL Scotland's Director of Training Denise MacKean commented: "We are proud to announce the launch of CPL Scotland and to commit ourselves to the provision of training and qualifications for the benefit of the Scottish people."

The transition to the new licensing regime in Scotland will begin in 2008 with Licensing Boards accepting personal licence applications from February 2008 onwards. The new Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) will be available from CPL Scotland from October this year and will replace the current Scottish Licensee's Certificate.

Paul Chase
Chairman, CPL Training

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Following a significant increase in violent crime involving knives used by school children, the Confederation of Professional Licensees (CPL) has launched the EDI Level 2 Award in Underage Sales Prevention

Aimed at businesses that sell age-restricted products, the one-day course will educate delegates on all of the products deemed illegal for sale to specific age groups. Items range from domestic knives to computer games, petrol, liqueur chocolates and alcohol.

The course will also offer guidance on how to deal with underage customers, including how to check for proof of age and how to act in situations where conflict may arise when service has been refused.

The course has been developed in association with Education Development International.

Paul Chase, Chairman of CPL commented:
"It is imperative that retail staff are given the necessary support, education and training to deal with underage sales prevention."

"By attending a one-day course, businesses and individuals can protect themselves from potentially dangerous situations and damaging repercussions for their business and staff."

The Confederation of Professional Licensees (CPL) has scooped a prestigious UK-wide contract with Britannia Hotels providing a bespoke training service for the company at each of its 31 hotels.

Britannia is the UK's largest privately owned hotel group with an annaul turnover in excess of £500m. The decision to join forces with CPL is testament to the company's commitment to provide the highest quality training for its 4,000 plus workforce.

CPL will train over 700 Britannia employees during an initial one-year period where courses are set to include basic and intermediate food hygiene, first aid, hazard analysis and the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH).

Michael Marten, group personnel and training manager for Britannia Hotels said: "Our collaboration with CPL demonstrates Britannia's aim to improve our training capabilities, by using a company that provide a one-stop shop service that is of the highest quality available."

CPL will provide a predominantly in-house training service where courses are delivered at the client's premises. As the UK's largest provider of training to the licensed trade, CPL has developed a programme that meets the specific needs of Britannia offering a flexible and responsive approach.

Chris Carney, managing director of CPL commented: "The Britannia contract win demonstrates our ability to diversify into any sector where professional training is required. We look forward to rolling out the national training programme for our client, responding to the evolving needs of Britannia and delivering training programmes that are in line with current and future legislation."

The Confederation of Professional Licensees (CPL) has been appointed as the NCPLH (National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders) training provider for Thresher.

The collaboration between CPL, the largest training provider to the licensed trade in the UK and Thresher, the UK's leading independent drinks retailer, will allow Thresher to consolidate its training function, utilising a limited number of approved providers to meet all of its training needs.

CPL was chosen by the organisation because of its ability to offer a nationwide service through a network of 60 training venues. In total 800 Thresher employees will undergo NCPLH training over the next 12 months through CPL.

The large-scale contract was awarded following an initial regional based training programme where 50 Thresher staff members underwent the NCPLH examination process. Upon successful completion, CPL were cited by Thresher as a professional, reliable and well established organisation with the national capabilities to provide training to key staff members for all UK outlets.

Daniel Davies, Chief Executive of CPL commented: "We look forward to working closely with Thresher, developing a long-term relationship with them and striving to ensure that we are able to meet all of their existing and future training needs."

Philip Loring, head of Thresher central operations commented: "We are delighted with the new partnership which will enable us to provide NCPLH training across a wide geographical area, closely aligned to our store locations."

An extensive survey carried out by the UK's leading provider of training for the licensed retail sector, CPL, has revealed that almost 53% of participants have endured verbal abuse, threats of violence or have been physically attacked when refusing to sell alcohol to an underage customer.

Over 1,000 people took part in the nationwide survey, all of whom are employed within the licensed trade and have undertaken the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders qualification through CPL. These shocking findings demonstrate the ongoing and widespread threat faced by licensed retailers as a result of youths attempting to purchase alcohol.

The survey also asked whether individuals have received training in how to refuse alcohol to underage customers - where 87% answered yes, the figures above suggest that training and support is proving ineffective and inadequate.

With Government pressure mounting and with new legislation allowing courts to impose potential fines of up to £5,000 and six months in prison to businesses or individuals caught selling alcohol to minors, lack of training and support continues to leave retailers open to attack.

Paul Chase, CPL Chairman commented: "Whilst this survey demonstrates a growth in the number of staff being trained in underage sales prevention, if training doesn't include conflict management, how to identify underage customers and how to refuse sales, then it leaves licensed retailers and their employees in a very vulnerable position."

Leading restaurant and bar group, Living Ventures has joined forces with CPL to create a bespoke training and development programme.

The country's number one licensed trade training provider CPL, will offer ongoing support and training to staff at each of the 29 Living Venture restaurants and bars which include The Living Room, Est Est Est and Black House Grills.

Launched in 1999, Living Ventures has enjoyed rapid growth and success - the company brands are now some of the UK's most well recognised and popular venues for eating and drinking. The company's decision to work closely with CPL demonstrates Living Ventures ongoing commitment to ensuring its customers experience a first class service from a well trained and skilled workforce.

Daniel Davies, CPL's Chief Executive commented: "Our recent appointment as preferred training provider by Living Ventures is a great coup for us and reinforces our position as the training provider of choice for the country's leading restaurants and bars."

The Confederation of Professional Licensees (CPL) has launched launch the UK's first Diploma for Designated Premises Supervisors.

The Level 3 National Diploma for Designated Premises Supervisors has been developed in association with EDI and offers advanced training for those who hold the NCPLH (National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders). This course aims to provide licensees with the knowledge to uphold the terms stipulated in the new Licensing Act, safeguarding themselves and their business for the future.

Daniel Davies, Chief Executive of CPL commented: "CPL is the first company in the UK to offer this advanced level of training support for people involved in managing licensed premises. We recognise the needs of premises supervisors and have developed this course to ensure that the responsibilities of being in control of licensed premises are clearly communicated and understood by these key individuals."

The Confederation of Professional Licensees has this week revealed the findings of an extensive survey focusing on the impact of the pending smoking ban for individuals working in a licensed premises.

With a 60/40 split between on and off trade respectively, the report highlights significant fears for personal safety, views on how the ban will affect the wider trade, public awareness of the restrictions imposed by the ban and how difficult the ban will be to enforce.

Using the opportunity to voice their concerns, 56% of on trade respondents expressed a fear that they would face verbal abuse, physical threats or violence when attempting to impose the ban. Paul Chase, CPL Chairman commented: "These results are particularly worrying and highlight fears for personal safety - businesses and individuals are clearly not confident that they can deal with situations where conflict may arise."

Almost all delegates agreed that action should be taken to reduce the risks of passive smoking and an average 80% supported the ban. When asked the question, "Do you believe that the smoking ban will attract new customer groups", 57% answered, "Yes".

Responding to the issue of enforcing the smoking ban, 56% of the on-trade felt that the process would be "moderately difficult". Whilst 27% felt it would be "difficult" to enforce, only 17% said that the process would be "easy"

When asked what impact the pending ban would have on the licensing trade, 47% believed that trade would fall, whilst 36% felt that it would have no impact and 15% believed trade would improve.

Paul Chase said: "This is a unique survey, because it questions people working in the trade, all of whom were about to apply for their personal licence."

"It is clear that whilst this group supports the smoking ban, they are concerned about personal safety and very few believe the impact on the level of trade will be positive."

The survey was carried out by the UK's leading independent provider of training to the licensed trade, CPL, who questioned over 1,000 delegates nationwide during a three-month period, each of whom was training to gain the NCPLH (National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders) accreditation.

CPL, the UKs leading provider of training to the licensed retail sector, has strengthened and consolidated its core management team, appointing a new financial director and two high profile non-executive directors.

John Taylor, former European supply chain Director at Unilever will join former Bristol & West International Director and Chief Executive, Chris Robinson, to support and advise the team on strategic issues as the company continues to enjoy rapid growth, diversifying into a range of new sectors and disciplines.

John Taylor will examine CPL's market position and identify future areas of possible growth that are clearly aligned with the company's wider expansion plans. His knowledge and understanding of corporate development will prove to be a huge asset as CPL prepare to drive the business further forward.

With over 20 years experience in the banking and finance industry, Chris Robinson has particular strengths in the establishment and development of customer relationships. His key role will be to support and develop the strategy required to expand CPL's partnerships with existing and potential corporate clients.

Chris Robinson commented: "CPL is a dynamic company that is recognised nationally as a leader within its field. Its association and partnerships with some of the UK's premiere brands is testament to the company's growing success. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the senior management team on a range of exciting new initiatives."

Other changes include the appointment of Gail Mortimer as Finance Director based at CPL's head office in Wirral. Daniel Davies assumes the position of Chief Executive, leading CPL's overall development, whilst Paul Chase retains the position of CPL Chairman, with responsibilities for qualification and course development and CPL's expansion into Scotland.

Commenting on these changes, Daniel Davies said: "The appointments of both John and Chris is a fantastic coup for CPL. By bringing their knowledge, skills and experience to the company, we are supported by some key business players who have operated at the very top of British industry. Their future support will be imperative as our business continues to grow and evolve."