It follows an increase of suspension among bar managers
Hospitality New Zealand has launched a new course on responsible alcohol service to push for a more standardised training across the industry to prevent future harm.
"The Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards is an industry-led initiative in which everyone in licensed premises – operators, managers, and servers – has a part to play," said Julie White, Hospitality NZ chief executive. "By providing standardised training we are supporting businesses to raise the bar as we work together on building a skilled workforce."
"Developing skills and acknowledging the value of minimising harm will contribute to a capable and engaged workforce that is invested in community wellbeing," added White.
In a media release, the course will cover the duty of care and harm minimisation as required under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. It will also include the law around alcohol, host responsibilities, and the tools to carry out such obligations.
It can be accessed as a series of video lessons on the industry body's e-learning platform Typsy. Once finished, participants will receive a certificate that will be recognised across the hospitality sector.
"Having the course online ensures standardised training is delivered consistently when and where it is needed, with the additional advantage of digital record keeping for operator compliance and provision of digital certificates for employees," said White.
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According to the chief executive, the course should be recognised as a "national minimum standard" to achieve standardisation across the industry.
It comes amid a recent report from the NZ Herald that revealed an increase of suspensions among bar managers who had been caught drink-driving in the first half of the year, with mental health problems speculated as reason for the hike.
Hospitality NZ's course aim to address this concern with the launching of the new course.
"Minimising harm and providing safer environments for the sale and supply of alcohol is a priority for the industry, and as the industry peak body, Hospitality New Zealand is taking the lead with this essential training for all staff working in licensed premises," said White.
