Plans for £300,000 Bradford restaurant academy
Plans have been unveiled for a £300,000 academy for training restaurant professionals in Bradford.
The move is in response to a shortage of skilled and qualified restaurant cooks, caterers and service staff, in the UK's self-styled "curry capital".
"In the last few years we have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the food industry and the opening of many new restaurants, which has increased the need for specifically skilled professionals," said restaurant owner Mohammed Latif, who is behind the scheme for starting a training academy for restaurant professionals.
Latif has applied to Bradford City Council for help to develop a catering training institute in Wilton Street, Bradford, for individuals to develop the skills and experience to become qualified professionals in the food industry, not just in Bradford but throughout the UK.
Unemployed people will be taught food preparation, handling, presentation, cooking, hygiene, health & safety and customer-facing skills. On completing their training they'll be placed in local restaurants for additional on-site and work-based training to prepare them for full-time employment.
The project has applied for funding support from Bradford council but has already secured support and promises of participation from half a dozen of Bradford's Asian restaurants.
"Once the training of these individuals has finished, we will also ensure that they are hired by the local food businesses," said Latif. "The need for skilled food professionals is always very high due to the high employee turnover which is expected in this sector."
It is anticipated that at least seven full-time jobs will be created for qualified trainers and administration staff.