Apprentice scheme is cooking on gas

RESTAURANTS in Oldham have cooked up a recipe to boost business by taking on apprentices.

A dozen staff at four Oldham restaurants have signed up to a hospitality apprenticeship in a bid to improve their skills and training in the catering trade.

Chadderton-based Community Skills Development Agency (CSDA) has joined forces with Oldham College to deliver the apprenticeships, particularly for black and minority ethnic (BME) residents.

The agency has been instrumental in addressing the BME group which has traditionally been under-represented among learners. In the last few years, CSDA has delivered high-quality training and qualifications to over 6,000 learners nationwide in the hospitality sector.

The four Oldham businesses are Vamasaki Restaurant, in Grains Bar; Balti Hut, in Kingston Drive, Royton; Masterchef Takeaway, Oldham Road, Failsworth; and Nissa Tandoori, Hollins Road.

Restaurant owners have been left impressed with their learners, with some saying the apprentices have become more enthusiastic and have had a positive impact on the business. They said apprenticeships recognised their staff member’s skills, and are proof that they are delivering a quality service.

And they said they were impressed with the range of skills the apprenticeship covered and the flexibility of assessors in terms of delivering the training.

Mahbubur Rahman, owner of the Vamasaki, said: “The apprenticeship training in hospitality has been beneficial to the eight apprentices I employ. Apprenticeships give my staff the skills and experience they need ranging from customer service to giving them opportunity to take on additional responsibilities.”

Wahid Rahman, chief executive officer at Oldham CSDA, said: “Oldham CSDA specialise in providing apprenticeship programmes to businesses within the ethnic hospitality sector.

“Companies who have worked with us have seen many improvements to their business including improved service, cookery and enabling people to take forward their careers in the hospitality sector.”