WSET beer courses now regulated by Ofqual
Recognition by the UK government’s qualifications regulator is the latest seal of approval for WSET’s beer courses. The awards, introduced in 2023, reflect WSET’s move beyond just wine and spirits and its focus on the needs of the industry.
WSET, also known as the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has announced that its Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Beer are now regulated by Ofqual. The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, to use its full name, is the UK body tasked with regulating school-based, technical and vocational qualifications in the country.
Ofqual’s regulation of the courses means they adhere to national standards in delivery and assessment. The regulation offers an independent assurance to students, a crucial plank of WSET’s drive to be the leading, globally trusted provider of drinks education.
Beer courses are the newest element of WSET’s offering, launched two years ago. They join qualifications up to Level 3 in sake and spirits, and up to Level 4 in wine.
The provision reflects a broader shift at WSET, which is moving away from an exclusive focus on wine and spirits towards a holistic vision of the drinks industry, backed up by industry support and independent accreditation.
Speaking to db last year, CEO Michelle Brampton said: “Growth-wise, beer is still a big opportunity for us. It’s not even been available two years yet, so it’s a key part of the brand refresh, talking about ourselves in terms of drinks education, not wine and spirits education.”
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Growing demand
The beer qualifications are now offered by more than 50 providers around the world. As is common for WSET courses, its intake is a mixture of drinks trade professionals and enthusiasts. The UK and the US are currently the leading markets for WSET beer qualifications, followed by Hong Kong, Canada and India.
Mirella Amato, WSET’s senior business development manager for beer, comments: “I’m delighted to see so many schools joining us in bringing WSET beer qualifications to students all around the world. These courses are designed to empower those who enjoy and work with beer, and I believe the confidence and enthusiasm that beer education fosters are key to the growth of our industry.”
In particular, the new courses have benefitted from incorporation into professional development within organisations, among them Asahi UK, Heineken UK and Lucky Saint. Again, this reflects a shift at WSET, which, as Brampton explained last year, is increasingly looking to short and bespoke courses tailored to specific needs within the industry.
“We chose WSET’s beer qualification because it offered our team a globally recognised standard of training that goes beyond brand knowledge,” explains Alessandro D’Amico, senior brand manager at Heineken UK.
“It’s helped build real confidence in talking about beer, improved our team’s tasting skills, and created a stronger culture of beer appreciation within the business. The training has had a noticeable impact already – our teams are engaging more deeply with customers and showcasing beer in a more premium, informed way.”
