BLUESTONE is offering budding chefs from across Wales the opportunity to enrol on a new bespoke apprenticeship programme offering on-the-job professional cookery training in partnership with Coleg Sir Gar.

The luxury resort near Narberth will host an open day tomorrow (Aug 12) for potential cookery apprentices to learn more about the programme. The resort is launching the new Level 2 apprenticeship a to develop skilled chefs to work in its selection of eating outlets.

Earlier this year, research by national careers advice body Careers Wales highlighted a nation-wide shortage of skilled chefs, stating that 3,500 new chefs would be needed in Wales by 2020.

The open day will take place at the Farmhouse Grill in Bluestone National Park Resort tomorrow from 10am until 3pm.

Director of HR, Debbie Rainbow said: “We’re really excited about the new professional cookery apprenticeship and are hoping that it’ll help us to overcome any skills shortages within our Food and Beverage team.

“We’re looking to recruit five enthusiastic people with a genuine talent and flair for cooking to join our bespoke programme. The course has been carefully designed to nurture their natural ability by providing them with the right vocational skills, tools and industry insight to go on to become successful chefs in one of our restaurants.”

“Apprentices will work a four day week, with no split shifts and be offered the chance to live in accommodation. We offer our chefs a good work-life balance that the industry as a whole can often struggle to achieve.”

The resort has partnered with Coleg Sir Gar to run the specially tailored 18-month programme that will offer young people the chance to learn and develop new vocational skills in its specialist kitchens as well as in classrooms both on-site and at the college.

Bluestone will provide all apprentices with transport to and from the college, books for the course and a knife set and chef whites. In addition they will also receive Bluestone staff points, which are redeemable against accommodation or activities, staff discounts, free entry to the Blue Lagoon Water Park for themselves and up to six guests, free entry to the indoor Adventure Centre and access to the Bluestone Wellbeing programme which offers fitness, mindfulness and health classes.

Rachel Davies, Chef de Partie at the Farmhouse Grill says “Coming to work at Bluestone would be a fantastic opportunity for any budding chef. Every day is completely different and we’re always faced with new challenges and are continually learning new skills.

“The food and beverage team is also a really close-knit family and anyone who comes to work here will be welcomed with open arms.”

Lucy Good, Learning & Development Manager said: “Our open day is very informal and has been designed to provide anyone who might be interested in joining our apprenticeship programme with the chance to look around our kitchens, speak to our chefs, find out a little bit more about the course and register their interest.

“We will then invite successful applicants back for an assessment day on August 19th before selecting the final five candidates to join the programme. Successful apprentices will then start in September, and in addition to undertaking an exciting framework, they will also be given the opportunity to compete in national and international skills competitions as well as pre-organised exhibitions and events.

Apprentices’ participating in the professional cookery apprenticeship programme may also be given the potential to progress on to level 3 programmes in professional cookery, culinary skills, patisserie and confectionery or hospitality management.

To find out more about the cookery apprenticeship visit: http://www.bluestonewales.com/careers/bluestone-cookery-apprenticeship