Statement of Purpose
Name of Regulated Qualification: BIIAB Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Food and Beverage
Service (QCF)
Level: 1
Ofqual Qualification Accreditation Number: 601/6224/7
Minimum credits (Size): 19
Overview
What is the main (primary) purpose of this qualification?
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To enable you to enter a specific occupational area
What other purposes does the qualification serve?
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To enable you to confirm your competence as a waiter or waitress
What job role will it help me enter?
It will enable you to develop the skills for working as a waiter or waitress.
Who is it for?
This qualification is for learners seeking to work in the hospitality and catering industry as a
waiter or waitress. Learners do not need any prior qualifications, knowledge or experience
in order to achieve this qualification.
What is the minimum and maximum amount of learning that directly relates to the role of
waiter or waitress?
All of the mandatory and optional units have been developed specifically for use in the
hospitality and catering sector. All of the optional units are specifically related to the skills
required in the role of waiter or waitress.
How will the qualification meet its purpose?
This qualification comprises units that have been developed by People 1st in consultation
with employers in the hospitality and catering sector. It is based on the knowledge and
skills elements of the food and beverage standards within the Hospitality and Catering
National Occupational Standards.
The qualification provides you with the skills required to work competently as a waiter or
waitress, including food safety, hygiene, customer service, team work, preparing for drinks
60162247 Statement of Purpose Version 1 © BIIAB August 2015
service, preparing for and providing a table and tray service, a trolley service, a counter and
takeaway service, serving hot drinks and taking payments.
Is this qualification at the right level for me?
You should do a qualification at this level (Level 1) if you feel that you are ready to use skills,
knowledge and understanding to complete routine tasks, some of which may not be familiar
to you, and you feel you are ready to take responsibility for your work.
If you feel that you are able to do all of the above but with some autonomy, and also the
ability to address some problems and express judgement, you should consider undertaking
a Level 2 qualification such as the BIIAB Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Food and Beverage Service
(QCF) 601/5687/9.
If you feel that this may be too difficult for you to do at this time you may wish to look to do
an Entry Level qualification in Employability Skills.
Is this qualification in an apprenticeship?
No.
How long will this qualification take me?
The qualification requires at least 159 Guided Learning Hours (the number of hours where
you will be given guidance, usually by a tutor, in order to achieve the outcomes) and
approximately 190 hours in total (1 credit is roughly equivalent to 10 hours of learning
time). Some people learn more quickly or are more experienced than others so it may take
you more or less time than 190 hours to achieve this qualification.
Is this the right qualification in this subject area for me?
You should undertake this qualification if you want to gain the skills required to work as a
waiter or waitress and be assessed on your competence in the workplace.
If you wish to work in a more general hospitality role, you should consider taking the BIIAB
Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hospitality Services (QCF) 601/6228/4. Alternatively, if you wish to
undertake a cookery role, you should consider taking the BIIAB Level 1 NVQ Certificate in
Food Preparation and Cooking (QCF) 601/6398/7.
If you would prefer to learn skills and knowledge in a college environment rather than the
workplace, you should consider taking the BIIAB Level 1 Certificate in General Food and
Beverage Service (QCF) 601/6397/5 instead.
Is this the right size qualification for me?
You should do this Certificate sized qualification if you are prepared to undertake
approximately 190 hours in total to achieve this qualification.
60162247 Statement of Purpose Version 1 © BIIAB August 2015
If you feel this is too much at this time, you could consider focussing on selecting units from
this qualification instead or taking a smaller qualification such as the BIIAB Level 1 Award in
Essentials of Catering (QCF) 501/0434/2.
Are there any requirements to do this qualification?
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You would need a desire to work as a waiter or waitress
You should have the ability to achieve the qualification (after learning and training).
At what age can I take this qualification?
This qualification is suitable for learners who are aged:
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Pre-16
16-18
19+
What does this qualification cover?
Overall: The qualification provides you with the skills required to work competently as a
waiter or waitress, including food safety, hygiene, customer service, team work, preparing
for drinks service, preparing for and providing a table and tray service, a trolley service, a
counter and takeaway service, serving hot drinks and taking payments.
Mandatory units: You will be assessed on the following areas:
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Maintenance of a safe, hygienic and secure working environment
Working effectively as part of a hospitality team
Maintain customer care
Maintain food safety when storing, holding and serving food
Optional units: You will need to choose units to the value of 6 credits from the following:
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Prepare and clear areas for drinks service
Serve drinks
Prepare and clear areas for table and tray service
Provide a table and tray service
Prepare and clear areas for counter and takeaway service
Provide a counter and takeaway service
Provide a trolley service
Assemble meals for distribution via conveyor belt
Clean and store crockery and cutlery
Maintain a vending machine
Prepare and serve dispensed and instant hot drinks
Maintain and deal with payments
60162247 Statement of Purpose Version 1 © BIIAB August 2015
Framework
This qualification is accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
What could this qualification lead to?
This qualification shows you have gained Level 1 skills in food and beverage service. It may
help you to get a job, to improve your performance at work or get promoted into higher
waiter or waitress roles working with more autonomy.
Upon completion, you may be ready to progress to a higher level, for example by
undertaking the following qualifications:
 BIIAB Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Food and Beverage
Service (QCF) 601/5682/X (this focusses on the knowledge required)
 BIIAB Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Food and Beverage Service (QCF) 601/5687/9 (this
focusses on the skills required)
Who supports this qualification?
This qualification is supported for SFA funding by the British Hospitality Association, the
trade body for Hospitality.
This letter of support is available here.
The Regulation of this qualification was supported by the following employers:
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Castle Rock
Prezzo
Shepherd Neame Ltd
Stonegate Pub Company
Wadworth & Co Ltd
These letters of support are available upon request from [email protected].
Official Regulated Purpose (for centre use):
Ofqual Purpose D. Confirm occupational competence and/or ‘licence to practise’
Ofqual Sub Purpose D1. Confirm competence in an occupational role to the standards
required
60162247 Statement of Purpose Version 1 © BIIAB August 2015