CFSP: Open for Work gives chance to increase knowledge and enhance CV

FEA is offering its CFSP course for free to people from the hospitality industry who have been made redundant as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and are looking for work within the industry. The course, which normally costs £950 + VAT, has limited numbers, so anyone interested is encouraged to apply soon. Up for grabs are 40 places – 20 for those who worked in the foodservice supply chain and 20 for people from the foodservice operator side. The course will run in March 2021.

“We wanted to reach out to people across the hospitality industry who are unemployed and looking for work,” says Simon Frost, chair of the FEA’s Education Advisory Group. “The ‘CFSP: Open for Work’ course is a chance for them to increase their knowledge of the foodservice industry as a whole and, hopefully, help them secure a new job.”

Sally Beck is general manager of the Royal Lancaster Hotel and she welcomed the FEA initiative. “It’s a great thing to be able to say when potential employers ask you what you did during Covid-19,” she says.

CFSP, the Certified Food Service Professional scheme, is internationally recognised and promoted in many countries around the globe. The UK programme is run by FEA and is accredited by Highfield Qualifications and the University of West London and certified by the CPD Certification Service. Its objective is to support, develop and increase levels of knowledge within the industry by giving foodservice professionals a complete understanding of how catering businesses and commercial kitchens work. The course consists of a comprehensive study guide that students are expected to read and absorb in advance of two half-day seminars, which are followed by an exam.

CFSP: Open for Work will have exactly the same content, benefits and cachet as the standard CFSP course and will be led by Graham Veal MBA FCIM CFSP, founder and managing partner of GCA Management. Graham has worked in the foodservice industry for over 25 years and is an experienced business coach. He co-owned and was managing director of Merrychef and has held senior management positions within Enodis PLC, Manitowoc Foodservice and Welbilt Inc. He says, “CFSP: Open for Work is a wonderful project and I’m delighted to be asked to tutor the group through the programme. Education and training are empowering – this course will really give a boost to people looking to move forward after redundancy.”

The course will appeal both to those looking for employment in a different part of the industry and those who want to continue in the same area, but who want to use their time to learn. The CFSP programme is relevant to manufacturers, consultants, distributors and operators. Over 600 people are now accredited in the UK.

The CFSP: Open for Work seminars take place from 13:00 to 17:00 on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th March and will be held via Zoom. The exam will be held on Wednesday 17th March, from 09:00 to 12:00. The exam venue will be confirmed in the New Year.

For more information and a link to an application form visit the FEA website or the CFSP website, or go to bit.ly/36B7G5v.

For information on CFSP visit www.cfsp.org.uk