WSET increases online courses after seeing ‘explosion' in digital learning

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) is fast tracking plans to take all its qualifications online after seeing "an explosion" in online learning with classrooms closed due to coronavirus.

WSET currently offers digital courses for its level 1-4 wine programmes and levels 1-2 sprits programmes, but is now offering enhanced digital options to the 800 course providers it works with, which include hotels, colleges and wine retailers that have been forced to close.

Ian Harris, WSET CEO, said: "Our digital education team has been working around the clock over the past few weeks to progress our digital learning offering at an unprecedented pace. We are determined to give our course providers the best online tools available and to minimise the impact of the current crisis on our students' educational journey with WSET."

The training provider was forced to close its school in London in mid-March and is offering a blended digital programme for students to continue their studies through a mix of online courses, webinars and live Q&A sessions.

The company said it was also fast-tracking the use of online testing for all its courses.

Graham Cox, WSET's UK business development director, said: "As you might expect, we have seen an explosion of people wanting to study our courses online, which is positive in the current climate. We expect classroom courses to come back as restrictions ease, as we are seeing in China"