January 2016 work-based learning and colleges update: Retail sector
This month's retail sector update includes information on an erratum notice and the government's new alcohol guidelines.
Erratum notice - Retail Skills
The erratum relates to the Pearson Edexcel Level 2 Award, Certificate, Diploma in Retail Skills (QCF) specification.
The titles for Units 7, 12, 16 and 23 in the current specification (Issue 5) published on the website are incorrect, both on the contents page and the individual unit pages.
The correct titles for these units are:
Page number |
Unit number |
Unit code |
Correct unit title |
|---|---|---|---|
54 |
7 |
H/503/5665 |
Assemble products for display in a retail environment |
69 |
12 |
T/503/5671 |
Source required goods and services in a retail environment |
81 |
16 |
F/503/5673 |
Maintain food safety while working with food in a retail environment |
108 |
23 |
L/502/0853 |
Provide nutrients to crops or plants |
All unit codes in the specification are correct. This notice has been placed on the website page for Retail Skills too.
New government alcohol guidelines
The government’s alcohol guidelines have recently changed to reflect new evidence about the link between alcohol and health harms, particularly cancer. The new guidance includes changes to the amount men and women can regularly drink and advice for drinking in pregnancy. The guidelines came into effect on 8 January 2016.
What’s changed?
The alcohol limit for men has been lowered from 3 to 4 units per day (to a maximum of 21 units per week) to be the same as for women i.e. a maximum of 14 units per week.
The UK’s Chief Medical Officer’s new guidance is that:
- both men and women are safest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week
- if you do drink as much as 14 units per week it is best to spread this evenly across the week, do not ‘save up’ your 14 units
- a good way to cut down the amount you’re drinking is to have several drink-free days each week
- if you’re pregnant you shouldn’t drink alcohol at all
How does this affect the Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders?
AC 6.5 of the qualification is ‘State the UK Government’s sensible drinking advice.’
The unit amplification currently states:
‘UK Chief Medical Officer’s low drinking advice:
- men - 3 to 4 units per day to a maximum of 21 units per week
- women - 2 to 3 units per day to a maximum of 14 units per week.'
The unit amplification will be updated to reflect the UK Chief Medical Officer’s guidance above. The multiple choice test papers will also be updated to reflect the new guidance.
The new guidelines will be tested in papers sat from 1 February 2016 onwards.
To avoid confusion we have discontinued all test papers that include questions on the current guidelines.
How does this affect the Pearson Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders at SCPLH Level 6 and the Pearson Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (Refresher) at SCQF Level 6?
Topic 3.4 of these qualifications is ‘Low drinking limits.’ The reference for this topic is definitions of low risk, hazardous and harmful drinking.
The new guidance falls within this topic area and course materials should be updated to reflect the new guidance. The Pearson set multiple choice test papers will be updated to reflect the new guidance.
The new guidelines will be tested in papers sat from 1 February 2016 onwards.
To avoid confusion, we have discontinued all test papers that include questions on the current guidelines.
For more information on the new guidelines please visit drinkaware.co.uk.