15yr Old Takes Licensing Qualification

A career minded teenager is believed to be the youngest person to ever achieve the BIIAB Level 2 Introduction to Licensed Retail Operations (ILRO.)

Fifteen-year-old Matthew Garrett took the test along with the rest of his family including his mum Lisa Ballett and dad Mark' who took over Marston's pub The Pilot in Poole on 14 September - and all of them passed.

The trio took the examination as a part of the Marston's licensing retail course and were trained through a national initiative run by BIIAB-approved training centres abv Training and Arrochar Associates. The BIIAB ILRO provides the foundation knowledge that a newcomer to the hospitality industry needs in order to be competent in all aspects of running a licensed retail business.

Lisa said: "We are extremely proud of Matthew' obviously he is restricted on what he can help out with at the pub due to his age' but I feel he has got a head start now in the industry.

"Whether he chooses to follow his dream of one day running his own pub or not remains to be seen' but the training was invaluable and could cross over to many management careers."

Many licensees go into pubs under-qualified' however' the Ballett family have been praised for ensuring this will never be the case with Matthew.

Carolyn McFarlan Director of Arrochar Associates' congratulated Matthew: "Trainer Jay Pearce was impressed with how well Matthew conducted himself during the course. He had the maturity to listen and put across his views to others' many of whom were experienced business people much older than him. This story proves that it's not just about working behind a bar a couple of nights a week but that there are many opportunities for young people in our industry with training in management skills and subsequent career progression.

"Obviously' we make it clear to any person under the age of 18 taking our qualifications that they will not be eligible to apply for a licence to sell alcohol until their 18th birthday. Matthew is lucky to have a head start over his peers and wish him every success with his career."

Marston's Business Development Manager Ken Russell added: "As a company we are always looking to make sure our licensees have an appropriate level of training. To see an entire family taking this so seriously shows real promise for the future of the trade as a whole."

Last Updated: 10th November 2009