Chefs from Kilkenny and Carlow gathered last week for a special mentoring workshop in aid of the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme, which is supported by Fáilte Ireland and other tourism industry bodies such as the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI). The Fáilte Ireland run workshop was held in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel to assist existing industry mentors who have apprentice commis chefs in training to employ the necessary practical coaching and mentoring skills.
"Helping To Fill Vacancies"
Paul Hayden, head of tourism careers at Fáilte Ireland, stated, "Chefs from Kilkenny and Carlow have gathered to share their experiences via mentoring to what we hope will be the next generation of great Irish chefs. These experienced mentors and the hospitality industry in general are very much determined to ensure the success of the new apprenticeship scheme, which is aimed at helping to fill vacancies in the culinary and hospitality industry."
Talking about how the Commis Chef Apprenticeship is the starting point for a career as a professional chef, Hayden added, "This is a formal structured two-year education and training programme incorporating periods of off-the job knowledge and skills development in a college or centre with work-based knowledge and skills development in a hotel or restaurant kitchen. It allows the participant to gain an internationally recognised qualification in cookery with their employer of choice and gives them the opportunity to progress to senior culinary positions within the culinary and hospitality industry."
"A Great Opportunity"
Expressing his support for the mentoring programme, IHF chief executive Tim Fenn asserted, "This Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme presents a great opportunity for those who are interested in pursuing a culinary career with an earn and learn model. Mentors have an important leadership role to play. They have the potential to change the way we attract, develop and retain new people into our industry."
Meanwhile, RAI chief executive Adrian Cummins commented, "The Commis Chef Programme is one step on the road to solving the skills shortage in our sector. We are delighted that Fáilte Ireland in association with our colleagues in the Irish Hotels Federation have delivered on a commitment to establish a Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme for the sector with the support of Solas and the Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). It’s imperative that restaurants and hospitality businesses feed into the apprenticeship scheme locally and utilise the opportunity to upskill existing staff who want to pursue a career as a chef or take on an apprentice chef in their establishment."
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
