Thanks to a recent appeal in the Evening Chronicle, Aspers at The Gate has filled all the places on its latest croupier training course, which kicked off at the end of September.

 

The Newcastle casino, which employs around 200 people, has trained its own gaming staff since it opened in 2005, creating job opportunities for hundreds of people in the North East. Its latest recruits will complete a six week course, beginning with four hours each day on the gaming floor and culminating in the award of their gaming licence.

 

"The objective of the programme is to give participants a clear grounding in the gaming industry, so the initial training also includes four hours each day working in hospitality," said David Allan, the course trainer. "Training on the floor begins with three weeks of Roulette, moving onto Blackjack, with weekly assessments and one-to-one sessions."

 

One of the new recruits is Callum Nicholls, 19, who applied after seeing the recent article on the course in the Evening Chronicle. He is very excited about the course and the career prospects it provides, with most senior figures in the gaming industry having started out on a training programme of this type.

 

"It's certainly different, with lots of late shifts and new things to learn, but there's a great team spirit and we're all enjoying learning the ropes," said Callum, who comes from Bedlington. "The most challenging part has been learning my 17 and 35 times tables, which you need for Roulette, but I'm getting there."

 

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 Aspers at The Gate launched its latest recruitment drive after becoming the first casino in the UK to introduce 24 hour opening in 2008. Combined with membership-free entry, this has generated increased customer demand and created the need for more trained croupiers.

 

The other new arrivals are Patrick Vary, 22, who comes from Stanley, Ollie de Planta de Wildenberg, 18, of Gosforth, and Derek Quinn, 19, who lives in Howdon. Aspers is already on the lookout for applicants on its next croupier course, which begins later this year, as the casino continues to expand.

 

"The role of the croupier is not something you can walk in off the street and start working on, but it can easily be learnt with the correct training and support," said Alan Barnes, Head of Gaming at Aspers. "Soon after we decided to open in Newcastle, we realised that in-house training was the way forward and the programme has been a great success over the past four years."

 

ENDS

 

Issued on behalf of Aspers at The Gate

by Point Pleasant Communications

 

 

 

For further information please contact Rob Lawson

on (0191) 519 7219 (Mobile: 07940 501 993) or email rob@point-pleasant.co.uk

 

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

• Aspers is a 45,000ft2 leisure facility in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
• The venue includes bars, restaurant, beauty spa, live entertainment and state-of-the-art gaming facilities.
• Aspers has attracted almost 137,000 members in just over three years from a catchment area covering Northumberland and County Durham, reaching across to Cumbria and down to York.
• In late 2007 Aspers became the first casino operator in the country to launch a loyalty club - Aspire - that allows customers to collect and redeem points throughout its operations (including gaming). Customers are now able to gain points for every purchase made on the premises and can also earn bonus points on selected promotions.
• In April 2008, Aspers became the first British casino to go 'membership free' which means that virtually all visitors can freely walk through the reception area without completing membership forms. Photo ID is required if you look under 21 and to join our Aspire Loyalty Club.
• Visitors to Aspers must be 18 or over
• At every Aspers location, the company has set up the Community Action for Responsible Gaming (CARG) programme. This initiative is unique to Aspers and is based on similar successful schemes in Australia and New Zealand. CARG is a voluntary, not-for-profit group that seeks to constructively address problem gambling issues in society through a working partnership between local community-based interest groups.