TGCG launches Professional Cookery Apprenticeships
Ambitious trainee chefs have new opportunities to develop their careers with new Apprenticeships in Professional Cookery.
The new Apprenticeship opportunities have been launched by The Garden Centre Group with training provided by Westminster Kingsway College, a centre of excellence in Hospitality and Culinary Arts.
The Garden Centre Group has developed a unique Apprenticeship scheme in conjunction with the college that focuses on professional cookery in the restaurants located in its garden centres across the UK.
The Apprenticeship programme combines a blended learning approach with full integration in The Garden Centre Group restaurants.
Knowledge based learning will be accessed online and through working on the job whilst the College-based training and masterclasses each month at Westminster Kingsway College will develop practical skills and enhance knowledge. These will, in turn, be put into practice in the workplace. All Apprentices who successfully complete the programme will obtain a City & Guilds work based Diploma in Professional Cookery Level 2.
The initial intake for the one year Apprenticeship programme will be 17 Apprentices who will receive a salary determined by the Apprenticeship minimum wage relevant to their age. A 'celebration bonus' of £500 is also paid to all those who successfully complete the programme.
Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to progress onto Higher Level Apprenticeships linked to the management development strategy for The Garden Centre Group (subject to application). The programme is seeking committed, enthusiastic and hard working applicants who want to 'earn while they learn' and with the very real prospect of being a manager or chef in one of the company's restaurants in five year's time.
The Garden Centre Group has already developed a successful and unique Apprenticeship scheme that focuses on garden centre employment and horticulture and this new Chefs Apprenticeship will build on that successful programme. Westminster Kingsway College is a leading Further Education College in central London which delivers outstanding provision in Hospitality and Culinary Arts.
Tom Martell, Head of Training for The Garden Centre Group said "Developing our Chefs and restaurant managers of the future is core to our strategy. Westminster Kingsway is one of the premier Further Education Colleges teaching Hospitality and it is very exciting to working with them on Apprenticeships."
Louise Jordan, Head of Hospitality Apprenticeships at Westminster Kingsway College said: "We are very excited to be working on a new Apprenticeship programme with The Garden Centre Group to develop their new recruits and managers of the future. Westminster Kingsway College is working with a number of employers in the Hospitality Industry and beyond to provide training programmes and Apprenticeships to meet their development needs. Apprenticeships are the proven way to train your workforce and can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive."
Please note: although Apprentices will attend College classes each month, these Apprenticeships vacancies are located at different Garden Centre Group sites around the UK. Applicants should visit www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/careers for further information about these Apprenticeship vacancies and the entry requirements.
