Shaun Griffin is leaving nothing to chance with his ambition to scale the management ladder of the casino industry. The 19-year-old trainee dealer at the Paris casino in Blackpool has decided the best way to give himself an edge in his chosen career is to gain professional qualifications that are recognised by all the leading operators.
He is currently studying for an advanced diploma in casino operations at Blackpool and the Fylde college, in Blackpool, Lancashire, which will give him a solid grounding in dealing all the key casino games, an understanding of the importance of customer relations, and a basic knowledge of slot machines. Once qualified, he hopes to gain experience travelling the world on cruise ships before returning to study for a foundation degree in casino management.
Despite holding three good A-levels, Griffin decided he had more to gain from the professional qualification route than going to university. He says: "I have friends who went to university and are now building up big debts, while I have already started earning. Once I've got my qualification, I'll have something on paper that will make me stand out from many others in the industry."
Griffin's tutor, Rick Dunston, says: "The people who complete this course have a more in-depth knowledge than many who have been working in the industry for 10 years."
