Did you know that approximately 37 people die in drunk-driving-related crashes every other day? And if that didn’t catch your interest, 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year. For anyone working in the alcohol service industry, these statistics are more than just numbers. They are reminders of how important it is to make the right decision every time you are behind the bar.
But the reality is that you simply can’t serve patrons responsibly if you don’t know how to go about it. That’s where alcohol server training comes in, and here’s what you should know about that.
What Is Alcohol Server Training?
Alcohol server training is an educational programme meant to prepare hospitality professionals to serve alcoholic beverages safely and responsibly. The course content does vary slightly from one state to another, but the topics commonly revolve around alcohol laws/regulations, preventing sales to minors, handling difficult situations professionally, and so on.
It’s always recommended to take board-recognised alcohol server training courses like the ones RocketCert offers. This way, you will always be sure that the course content is exactly what your state’s licensing board recommends.
And even if this training isn’t mandatory in your state, it’s still a good idea to invest in it as it reduces business risk and shows proof of commitment to responsible service. You will, therefore, be more appealing to employers.
Why Alcohol Training Matters A Lot
Many professionals and businesses that invest in alcohol server training do so while focusing primarily on legal compliance. But this training has greater value beyond regulatory matters. The other benefits it offers include:
1. Helping Servers Recognise Intoxication Early Enough
You might be thinking that there is no need to invest in training that teaches you how to recognise intoxication because it should be easy to spot. Let’s disappoint you a bit. The obvious signs, like slurred speech or stumbling, typically appear long after impairment has progressed.
Training helps you recognise earlier behavioural changes linked to intoxication, such as changes in speech patterns, ordering drinks much faster than others at the table, unusual confidence or aggression, and more. When you recognise such signs early enough, you can slow down service before refusing service becomes necessary.
2. Teaches You How to Recognise Fake Identification Documents
Since fake identification has become quite sophisticated over the years, checking identification is no longer just a matter of comparing a photograph with the customer standing in front of you. You need to be able to examine security features, card thickness, surface texture, and other important details with great accuracy.
This way, you will be able to note when something seems off. Not only that, but combining this knowledge with the ability to recognise changes in customer behaviour during such evaluation makes it easier to know whether additional scrutiny is required.
3. Alcohol Training Promotes Careers
An often overlooked benefit of alcohol server training is professional credibility. Many employers actively look for candidates who already have their alcohol server certification, as it reduces onboarding time and demonstrates professionalism.
And regardless of the path you want to take in the hospitality industry, certification will certainly strengthen your resume even in states where it isn’t mandated.
Common Mistakes New Servers Make
Many of the errors related to alcohol service occur when employees misunderstand how alcohol affects people. If you are joining the hospitality industry as a new server, here are the mistakes you should look out for:
- Focusing on individual drinks without considering that customers may have had more drinks elsewhere
- Assuming customers won’t get intoxicated quickly if they have larger body sizes
- Waiting too long to intervene
One thing you will learn over time in this industry is that it’s much better to be overly cautious than to ease up and suffer the consequences.
Ready to Boost Your Server Career?
There are lots of ways to become a better server, but the one that remains undefeated, if you ask us, is investing in the education that keeps you informed about the best practices and ways to avoid unwanted results. This is what you get with RocketCert’s Food and Beverage online training course.
So, if you are serious about becoming a better alcohol server, now is the perfect time to head over to rocketcert.com to start your training.
