The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has announced the launch of the ‘TUCO Academy’, which will seek to create a fully accredited training programme designed specifically to address the training and professional development needs of caterers in Higher and Further Education. This unique initiative is being undertaken in partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU).
The TUCO Academy will provide courses in the areas of craft skills, compliance, professional development and personal growth in order to enable employees to develop not only within their institution but in the wider University Hospitality sector, and will be the first sector-specific led training academy.
Addressing a stark reality
Chair of TUCO Julie Barker commented: “Recent reports on the issues of training, staff recruitment and retention and productivity across the sector present a stark reality. Right now, the Industry as a whole is in danger of stagnating, without any practical solution to tackle the issues. The problems stand to become even bigger; The TUCO Academy is an answer to this that will offer genuine value and meet the current and future needs of the catering Industry.”
The challenge of the skills gap affects the entire Hospitality Industry. Last year, a report from charity, People 1st, showed that the Industry needs to recruit 215,000 people into skilled roles by 2020, with 20% of organisations currently suggesting they could not recruit staff with the skills they needed – often at a more senior level.
All levels of training
The TUCO Academy will address all levels of training, from first job to senior management, with courses on everything from basic food hygiene to strategic management. Course delivery will be a mixture of online independent study which can be done around day-to-day work, blended learning and face to face delivery at Universities and Colleges across the country.
Attracting bright people
Speaking about the launch Helen Anzani, Head of the TUCO Academy Project Group commented that it was ‘imperative’ that staff development remained a very high priority for TUCO and its members, adding: “The challenge of tackling skills shortages in University hospitality is one that we must address. We aim to be employers with an unparalleled reputation for providing our staff with a future career path, offering choices in direction and personal growth so that we can continue to attract bright people.
“We also recognise that the training on offer has to address the real and constantly evolving needs of our members. The programme will be developed from research we have undertaken with our member Universities and Colleges, which we will continue to conduct with LSBU to ensure the courses are evolving according to our Industry’s needs.”
The first TUCO Academy course will be available in October.
All TUCO Academy courses will be developed in partnership with, and be endorsed or fully accredited, by LSBU and count towards continuous professional development (CPD) throughout the employee’s career.
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