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Sir Reg congratulates the next generation of future chefs

2 April 2009

Last Saturday saw the graduation ceremonies for 100 Junior Chef Academy students from six Regional Colleges around Northern Ireland.

The Junior Chefs’ Academy (JCA) aims to help to bridge skills gaps identified in the hospitality industry locally.  During this 10 week Saturday morning training programme the young people, aged between 12 and 16, were encouraged to consider a career as a chef.  Through the programme they have learned about cooking in a challenging yet enjoyable environment.   

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, heralded the Academy a resounding success and added: “I congratulate the participants on completing the programme and hope it inspires some of the 12 to 16 year olds who participated to consider a career as a chef.  The hospitality and tourism sector is very important to the Northern Ireland economy and it is vital to that sector that programmes like the Junior Chef Academy takes place to stimulate interest in the sector.”

The JCA programme has been developed by the Compass Group and brought to Northern Ireland by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.  The Department for Employment and Learning has provided resources to support what is a new and innovative programme.

One of the students participating on the programme was 13 year old Ursula Kinsella from Warrenpoint.  Commenting on the JCA Ursula said “I had great fun with food at the Culinary Academy at Southern Regional College in Newry.  I cooked different dishes each week and took them home every Saturday for mum and dad.  I made lots of new friends and I loved the delicious desserts we made.  It was an early start but I will miss it and so will my mum and dad.  Maybe one day they will be dining in my own restaurant."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.The Junior Chefs’ Academy (JCA) programme has taken place at:-

  • Whiterock Campus, Belfast Metropolitan College
  • Ballymoney Campus, Northern Regional College
  • Northland Building, Londonderry, North West Regional College
  • Lisburn Campus, South East Regional College
  • East Campus Newry, Southern Regional College
  • Dungannon Campus, South West Regional College

2.JCA is endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality, City and Guilds and the Craft Guild of Chefs.  It has won numerous awards from Charities Aid Foundation, Springboard, the Business in the Community Big Tick and most recently the Food and Drinks Federation’s Silver Award for Community Partnerships.  

3.  JCA was established in England in 2003 by leading contract caterer Compass Group plc. Since its inception, nearly 3,000 young people have graduated from JCA of which over 60% went on to full time hospitality courses.  Compass Group employs 700 people in Northern Ireland and key clients include the NI Assembly, BBC, Bank of Ireland, Bombardier, BT, Ulster Bank, Belfast Telegraph & Irish News.  For more information visit http://www.compass-group.co.uk.  

4.  Compass Group plc specialise in providing food, vending and related services on  clients' premises and generate annual revenues of around £11billion in the year to 30 September 2008.  The company operates across the core sectors of Business and Industry (B&I), Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.  For more information visit http://www.compass-group.com.  

5.  People 1st is the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries and is tasked with raising the productivity of the sector in Northern Ireland by ensuring sector employers have access to people with the right skills and that employers have the right infrastructure to increase their own investment in skills development.  This is achieved through the implementation of standards, training and qualifications and by representing the interests of the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism related businesses to Governments and partners on these and other education and training issues.   Their remit is to engage with employers on a sectoral basis and represent their needs to key partners and stakeholders within the UK countries and regions.  

6.  JCA is administered by People 1st.  The Northern Ireland Manager is Roisin McKee.  Contact details are:  Mobile: 079 7674 8678.  Email address: roisin.mckee@people1st.co.uk external link.  

7.  Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 02890 257872.  Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076997 15440, and your call will be returned.