The ISS Academy of Excellence has launched as a partnership with Leeds City College and ISS Food and Hospitality. The Academy of Excellence provides a bespoke training programme for students who are passionate about working in the catering and hospitality industry.
The partnership and course was celebrated with a special dinner to mark the official Academy launch. Hosted at the College’s on-site commercial restaurant – The Food Academy – on November 25th 2014, the food for the meal was prepared by the students and supported by ISS Food and Hospitality
Programme of training and enrichment
The two partner organisations have come together to establish the Academy to offer an exciting programme of training and enrichment, while helping to develop routes into Food & Hospitality via integrated facilities management and a diverse mix of blue chip companies.
Leeds City College is renowned nationally for its approach to learning and engagement with its students. With its state of the art facility, Leeds City College focuses on many key areas including: Hospitality service, Cookery, Bakery, Patisserie, Meat Technology, kitchen management and catering excellence.
ISS Facility Service is a global provider of facilities services for private and public sector companies, employing around 47,200 employees in the UK and Ireland. The innovative food & hospitality business delivers catering excellence to a range of clients and sectors.
16 exceptional participants
The Academy, based at the college’s new Printworks Campus in Leeds, has proved to be extremely popular, with 300 students applying to be part of the course which has spaces for 16 exceptional participants. These 16 students were offered places in this new first year cohort after a rigorous two day interview process. The fully subscribed course is helping to ensure the industry’s future is in the best possible hands.
Students age 16-24 have travelled from as far afield as London, with the majority of learners from the wider Yorkshire area.
Leeds City College Head of Hospitality and Full Cost Development Huw Southcott said: “These individuals showed pride and passion in committing to the course and are now undertaking an exciting programme of training and enrichment, with the added ingredients of first class placement opportunities and guest chef visits.”
Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) diploma
At the Academy, students study a catering and hospitality Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) diploma, which also offers extended work placement opportunities for up to six weeks. Some placements are with ISS client clients and will help to provide progression routes and future employment opportunities within ISS and other hospitality and industry sector outlets.
In addition, students also undertake regular enrichment activities, which include ‘Farm to Fork’ and ‘Vine to Glass experiences’, chef demonstrations, guest speakers and industry visits.
Expertise from Mark Sargeant
Michelin starred chef Mark Sargeant (and Former Head Chef of Gordon Ramsay) is lending his expertise to the academy, adding a unique strand to the course. He will support students during the academic year with themed evenings, demonstrations and placement opportunities.
Mark has an exclusive partnership with ISS; as part of this he judges annual in-house competitions, providing front of house input and opportunities for staff – and now students – and visits to his
Lloyd Mann, ISS Chef Director commented, “The bespoke training schedule developed for academy students not only covers vocational training but also involves them in food development training sessions run for all ISS food and hospitality staff.” Lloyd added, “After three years in the programme, students will share the same food ethos as ourselves, along with further developing our “Fresh is Best” strategy, forming the backbone of their learning.”
For more information click here
Twitter: @ISSUKComms and @RSykesISS
LinkedIn: ISS Facility Services UK