Training scheme for hospital chefs

By Ben Walker
A new apprenticeship for NHS caterers is expected to be launched next year. The Hospital Caterers Association has nominated a working group who are in the process of designing the course, which will be delivered throughout the UK.
Nigel Rowley, of the NHS University, explained: "Our aim is to build up an apprenticeship that is specific to the needs of the NHS - to learn about therapeutic diets rather than how to cook lobster thermidor - to get people out the other end who are fit for purpose."
NHS trainee chef schemes disappeared 20 years ago. Currently, if a hospital wants to take on a trainee chef, he or she can be trained only at a local college, which does not carry NHS-specific courses.
Rowley said that the NHS needed to find ways to replace an ageing workforce: "The routes for getting young people into the NHS aren't there at the moment. The issue we face is how to get a sustainable workforce."
In order to attract young people, Rowley said the NHS needed to publicise the fact that apprentices will be paid throughout their three-year course. He added: "The NHS is a blue-chip company. Career progression is excellent, and pay and working hours are better than working in the hotel and restaurant industry."
Strategic health authorities will send apprentices to attend the NHS-specific college course while gaining work experience in a number of hospital environments. The apprenticeships will be funded by the Learning and Skills Council.
The apprenticeship scheme is part of a wider push by the NHS to improve how it recruits, trains, manages and develops all of its support services staff.