The Skills Academy aims to raise the profile of NHS general catering assistants, providing them with new skillsets for both personal and professional development within the NHS.
The free and ‘innovative’ programme offers attendees the chance to develop a range of skills including operations, teamwork and knife training whilst increasing their knowledge on nutrition, food waste and hospital food standards.
Not only does the Skills Academy focus on skill enhancement, but it goes far beyond, helping raise confidence, to feel a sense of pride and professionalism and be seen as integral members with meaningful impact within their trust and teams.
Idrees Anwar, lead dietitian at NHS Supply Chain, said: "Having the opportunity to upskill and empower general catering assistants, who are often a powerful workforce behind the chefs, is an opportunity myself and the rest of the culinary and dietetics team are really looking forward to. We cannot wait to host days full of exciting education and experience. We aim to make our Skills Academy an invaluable, lasting experience for all who attend."
Earlier this year, the culinary and dietetics team ran the very first Skills Academy pilot events at Lainston House, Winchester and Leicester Glenfield Hospital.
NHS Supply Chain: Food hosted two summer events at Edgbaston Cricket Ground that received ‘outstanding’ feedback, scoring a perfect 10/10 from attendees and remarkable feedback from general catering managers.
Daniel Hoggett, general catering manager at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “What a positive return to work I had following the recent Skills Academies, a lot of positives and exciting conversations happening amongst the staff and a lot of other members of staff eager to join the next events in our area.
“I think it really brought home to them that they are the key to making positive change in hospital setting whether its patient feeding all the way through to the retail where we are providing food for our visitors and staff. What's even better they are going to be using some of the concepts and skills learnt from both days to provide food for our patients in the gardens for one of our hospital charity events.”
Keep your eyes peeled for the next round of events and get in touch with NHS Supply Chain: Food through your local food account manager or through their enquiry form if you'd like more information about Skills Academy or would like them to host a session in your area.