Leeds City College named as Asian & Oriental Centre of Excellence

Leeds City College is one of five Asian & Oriental Centres of Excellence recently launched by the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning John Hayes MP.

The Centres of Excellence are set up in five colleges across England – Westminster Kingsway College, University of West London University College Birmingham, and Trafford College join Leeds City College – which have been chosen for their high quality of teaching standards and specialist knowledge of Asian and Oriental cuisine.

This long-term initiative, led by the Hospitality Guild and People 1st, will train unemployed people to become skilled chefs while helping Asian & Oriental restaurant owners adapt to the new immigration cap which restricts their ability to recruit chefs from outside the EU.

Recruits will take part in a six-week pre-employment programme, which will include training and work experience with an employer. They will gain fundamental hospitality skills such as customer service, food safety, and health and safety and an insight into the exciting career options and a qualification – the Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry. At the end of this programme they are also guaranteed an interview with a prospective employer for either a job or a paid apprenticeship in Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese or Thai cuisine.

Each college is hosting road show events to promote career opportunities in the Asian & Oriental cuisine, to offer taster sessions, and to engage with employers who are taking on apprentices. An employer engagement meeting (for employers) has already been held at the College (on April 3rd), with the following road show held for individuals and employers:

Leeds City College roadshow
Thomas Danby Campus,
Roundhay Road
Leeds LS7 3BG
Wednesday, 25th April 25th from 3-5pm
To register text ROADSHOW LEEDS to 88802

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Press Contact
Sarah Towns
Media Relations Coordinator
Leeds City College
t: 0113 284 6411
e: sarah.towns@leedscitycollege.ac.uk