Following in the footsteps of the award-winning Chef’s Academy, NHS Supply Chain: Food has launched the Skills Academy in a bid to bring a brand new training experience to NHS staff, specifically raising the profile of NHS general catering assistants.
NHS Supply Chain is looking to empower the aforementioned profession, providing them with confidence and pride as well as a broad range of skills encompassing:
- Operations
- Teamwork
- Nutrition
Exceptional feedback
The official launch follows initial pilots at Lainston House, Winchester and Leicester Glenfield Hospital, which laid the foundations for two more summer events at Edgbaston Cricket Ground which received a 10/10 from attendees and exceptional feedback from general catering managers.
Skills Academy events see attendees benefit from networking sessions, live demonstrations, and expert advice from industry professionals. NHS Supply Chain says the programme is filling a gap for general catering assistants, delivering the necessary culinary training for them to succeed.
Invaluable, lasting experience
"Having the opportunity to upskill and empower General Catering Assistants, who are often a powerful workforce behind the chefs, is an opportunity myself and the rest of the Culinary and Dietetics team are really looking forward to,” said Idrees Anwar, lead dietitian at NHS Supply Chain.
“We cannot wait to host days full of exciting education and experience. We aim to make our Skills Academy an invaluable, lasting experience for all who attend.”
General manager at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Daniel Hoggett, added: “What a positive return to work I had following the recent Skills Academies, a lot of positives and exciting conversations happening amongst the staff and a lot of other members of staff eager to join the next events in our area.
“I think it really brought home to them that they are the key to making positive change in hospital setting whether its patient feeding all the way through to the retail where we are providing food for our visitors and staff.”
Image credit: NHS Supply Chain
