WSET adds three new countries to list of course providers

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced the addition of new approved programme providers in Kenya, Macedonia and Slovakia, with over 75 countries now offering its courses.

Students at the Hospitality Competence Center East Africa

The education provider has announced that Hospitality Competence Center East Africa has now been granted approval to offer WSET Level 1 in wines and Level 2 in wines and spirits. Based in Kenya, the center will open up its courses to the public but with a focus on those working in the hospitality sector. The center also has plans to expand its offering to countries such as Tanzania, Uganda and the Seychelles.

Wine Educator, situated in Macedonia, has been set-up by the largest wine producer in the Balkans, Tikves. The centre will provide the Level 1 course in wines and the Level 2 award in wines and spirits.

Finally, Liquid Academy in Slovakia will be offering the same courses to both the trade and consumer markets.

Students at the Hospitality Competence Center East Africa

All courses will be conducted in English and those interested in attending should contact the service provider directly.

WSET’s international business development director, Jude Mullins, commented: “Demand for wine and spirit education is rising globally, so WSET continually strives to offer qualifications through Approved Programme Providers in every market that shows potential and desire for further knowledge.

“These new WSET course providers are particularly well placed to develop the expertise of staff working in the hospitality sector. Previous studies have shown that hotels, restaurants and bars that have trained their staff through WSET qualifications saw significant return on investment, with increased profits thanks to staff’s increased confidence in upselling to premium product ranges. We look forward to working with these APPs to help businesses in these regions benefit from better educated staff, while inspiring local enthusiasts to learn more.”

WSET has recently unveiled the list of its best course providers ahead of its annual awards ceremony next year. Among those up for an award include Adam Chase DipWSET, director of Grape Experience in the US; Japan’s Caplan Corporation; Get Wine Smart based in Australia; Republic National Distributing Company located in the US; Cornwall’s Truro College, and the West London Wine School.

Back in August this year, the WSET recorded its biggest ever year with a record 94,822 candidates taking up courses in wine and spirits in the past 12 months – an increase of 11% on the previous year.

China remains the country with the highest number of WSET students, with 21,986 candidates starting courses over the last academic year, a rise of 9% on the previous year.

The UK comes in second with 19,460 with the US showing strong growth (+24%) to reach 14,204, in third.