THE first batch of successful ‘graduates’ have become accredited in management skills in a new scheme run by the national club union (CIU).

Half-a-dozen candidates, all but one from Durham branch CIU clubs, achieved the Award in Club Management (ACM), following the opening day-long courses held at Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me Workingmen’s Club (WMC), during November and December.

The new qualification, developed by the CIU’s education committee, working alongside the CPL Training group, consists of three self-contained units, each taking a day of classroom-based studies to complete.

It opened with a course covering law and regulation relating to licensing and was followed by other law and regulation pertaining to the operation of social clubs.

The final element covered management, finance and administration.

Upon completing the course, successfully passing all three units, the candidates were awarded the ACM diploma.

Further courses will be staged by the CIU later this year.

It is open to all CIU members but is specifically aimed at people who are likely to be going to sit on club committees or those occupying positions of authority within clubs for the first time.

The first six diploma holders are Ann Lee-Shield, of Blackhill Comrades Club, in Consett, John Robson, of Tanfield Lea Workingmen’s Club, Stanley, Paul Pigford, of Easington Colliery Club, Neil Pearson, of Stanley Empire Club, Brian Uren, of Grove and Moorside Club, near Consett, and CIU NEC member Les Hepworth.