Trade organisations join forces to tackle chef skills shortage
The campaign has been launched following recent figures that show the growth in eating out is continuing to rise.
Video
The BBPA has created a video - featuring footage from pub kitchens and face-to-face interviews with young chefs across the country - that will be promoted in schools, colleges and universities to inspire young people to pursue a pub chef career.
It aims to capitalize on the rising popularity of programmes like the Great British Bake Off and the fame of figures who have pub connections like Tom Kerridge and Jamie Oliver.
Apprentice qualification
At the same time the BII has launched a Level 2 Chef Apprenticeship qualification in pub chef skills and operations.
It covers key topics including food safety, teamwork, conflict resolution, the basics and principles of a comprehensive range of dish preparation, cooking theory, stock control and licensed hospitality operations, in order to standardise chef skills across the industry.
Website
In tandem, the Perceptions Group has launched a new Pub & Bar Careers website, due to go live later in the year, alongside a new blog, which shows what it is like to work in the kitchen with direct information from young chefs.
“With the eating out market growing at around 2.8%, and further growth expected throughout 2015, we need to take action to attract and train young chefs who can develop their skills as our sector continues to be at the forefront of this trend,” said BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds.
BII chief executive Tim Hulme added: “The new qualification is equally suited to pubs and bars already offering apprenticeships as well as those looking to start recruiting apprentices.
“The qualification combined with the release of the film will highlight the career and learning opportunities to help stem the pub chef skills shortage.”
Perceptions Group vice-chairman Anthony Pender said: “With the pub and bar sector worth around £18bn to the economy and 15 million people visiting pubs each week we are a hugely important industry. We need to attract, nurture and provide a credible pipeline for talent to encourage more people to take a career in this sector seriously.
"One thing that comes across today is that [the hospitality industry is] becoming ever more professionalised. The guys who work for us need to know so much more than they ever have done - we need new blood and new ideas to come into the trade and if we don't encourage that now the next generation will suffer. We need to raise the perception of our industry to the outside world."
Are you looking for a job in hospitality? Or perhaps for staff? Then take a look at our jobs website BigHospitalityJobs.
