Words: Shamim de Brún
TU Dublin’s School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology have teamed up with Diageo Ireland
on their ‘Learning for Life’ programme.
The programme offers participants educational support to enable them to enter or re-enter the world of hospitality. It is free to eligible applicants, and the skills and knowledge elements are undertaken at the school’s Central Quad facilities on their Grangegorman Campus.
The course starts on February 28. The training will occur in TU Dublin Grangegorman and is five days a week for five weeks. This will include four weeks of work experience. It is a pre-employment training programme that will give people the targeted industry skills and a guaranteed industry interview.
The course combines practical classes in kitchens and restaurants with an in-depth theoretical knowledge base. It will work towards the development of communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and personal skills. The skills-focused curriculum will give practical professional cookery experience in restaurant service, larder, hot kitchen and pastry sections. All of which are currently in high demand.
Learning for Life aims to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes that provide equal access to resources, skills and employment opportunities. Diageo piloted the programme in Dublin 8 in 2014. Programmes have since taken place across Dublin, Louth, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kerry and Kilkenny in partnership with the Department of Social Protection. Some 271 learners have participated since then, and two-thirds are now working.
Diageo corporate relations manager Claire Hutchinson said “We are passionately committed to supporting the hospitality industry and recognise the pressing issue of staff shortages following months of mandatory closures. The need to fill the skills gap has never been greater.”
If you’re interested in applying you can email Angela Smith at Blue Star Consultancy.
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