John Lewis Partnership becomes first retailer to launch Chef Academy to support hospitality sector
The John Lewis Partnership has become the first retailer to launch its own Chef Academy to help address the current shortage of qualified chefs in the UK.
A joint survey released recently by UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and the British Beer and Pub Association, revealed that staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels. The survey found that 76% of operators within the sector currently have chef vacancies.
The Partnership will be taking on up to ten apprentices this year with the potential to increase that number in the future as part of a long-term commitment to support the hospitality industry.
They will spend a year learning and working in the kitchens of the Partnership’s head offices and hotels*, which cater for our 78,000 Partners. The apprenticeships are being advertised on JLPjobs.com with anyone welcome to apply. We will accommodate individual circumstances with flexible hours and shifts wherever possible.
More than 80% of the course will be hands-on experience with candidates learning different roles, helping to create everything from breakfasts to eight course fine dining dinners, as well as catering for big occasions like weddings and charity events.
Upon successful completion, apprentices will receive the industry recognised Professional Commis Chef Level 2 qualification. Whilst the course is primarily designed to set them up for a career in the hospitality sector there will also be opportunities for them to take on permanent roles as Commis Chefs or Chef de Parties at one of the our hotels should they wish.
