Workplace Learning is a Recipe for Success

Staff at the Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall – which was recently crowned the ‘Taste of England’ – have successfully completed a unique training programme thanks to national qualification provider NCFE and Evolution Personal and Corporate Development Ltd.

Fifteen Cornwall is a unique restaurant which not only offers diners an innovative menu, but also trains disadvantaged young people as chefs, giving them the opportunity to build exceptional careers in the restaurant industry.

To ensure that the chefs at Fifteen Cornwall fully utilise their extensive knowledge and expertise to train and develop the students, the restaurant enlisted Evolution to devise a bespoke training programme.

The ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop was developed to equip the chefs and front of house management team with the skills and knowledge needed to carry out effective workplace learning. The award was then accredited by NCFE using its unique Investing in Quality (IIQ) licence – which gives formal recognition to customised training.

Polly Dent, General Manager at Fifteen Cornwall, said: “We were looking for a qualification which would allow our staff to have the advanced skills and knowledge needed to effectively train the young people that we work with.

“The three day ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop was perfect for us as it was delivered in the workplace, covered all the key elements and staff we able to learn a range of new skills. This has ensured that our trainees get the best opportunity possible to build a career path within the industry.”

The award looked at a range of key issues including the importance of identifying training needs, understanding training styles, rapport building with trainees, communication skills, questioning techniques and validating and evaluating the training.

David Grailey, Chief Executive at NCFE said: “Finding the right ‘one fits all’ qualification can be difficult for businesses looking for niche workplace learning.

“Our IIQ licence allows businesses and training organisations to develop their own bespoke training programmes. This enables organisations to deliver targeted training which is unique, effective and is recognised as a national award.”

Martin Crump, Evolution’s Director of Corporate Development added: “We pride ourselves on providing high quality, bespoke training which truly meets the needs of individual organisations. Achieving an Investing in Quality Licence from the NCFE has enabled us to accredit those courses in a way which ensures quality for the business and adds value for the individual trainee.”

The Cornwall Foundation of Promise receives all profits from Fifteen Cornwall and has been established specifically to support, train and guide the young apprentices as they turn their lives around and become world-class chefs.