Compass Group launches professional cookery apprenticeships

Hospitality and catering company, Compass Group UK & Ireland, has launched a new professional cookery apprenticeship programme. Applications for The Chefs’ Academy, available to 16-18-year-olds, will open on 24 August 2012. 
 
The Chefs’ Academy will offer a minimum of 40 places this year with the potential to expand the scheme in the years ahead.
 
The aim of the initiative is to attract unemployed school leavers who have an appetite for developing culinary skills and pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, providing them with an opportunity to earn while they learn.
 
The two-year programme will be delivered in three geographical hubs: Manchester, Birmingham and London; and will blend professional cookery workshops with in-business mentoring and assessment.
 
A key aspect of the programme is that it has been designed to support not only the practical competencies associated with professional cookery, but also to help prepare the young apprentices with essential life and business skills required for further employment and progression.
 
“We understand that in the current climate the jobs market is really tough for young people and we wanted to create a scheme that would help school leavers get on the career ladder while also enabling them to learn while they earn,” says HR Director at Compass, Andrew Richards. “We fully support the Government’s drive to tackle unemployment through apprenticeships and I believe The Chefs’ Academy is an example of an apprenticeship scheme that provides great opportunities for young people.”  
 
After 24 months of working across a broad portfolio of Compass locations, including 100 sports stadiums, racecourses, historic and iconic buildings, museums and galleries, each successful apprentice will be offered a Commis Chef position within the organisation.
 
Following a further 12 months embedding and honing their new skills, they will be given additional options for further progression through a professional cookery programme at Level 3 stage or a Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership.
 
Applications for The Chefs’ Academy open on 24 August and are available by accessing the B-Live, Springboard or National Apprenticeship Service websites. The closing date for applications is 13 September.
 
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