A new Chef Management & Leadership Training Programme has opened for applications, offering head chefs and aspiring head chefs the opportunity to build the knowledge and skills needed to manage, motivate and retain staff effectively.

Improving management skills in hospitality and tourism to help reduce staff turnover, is a priority that has been identified within the sector. For chefs in particular, many have traditionally been promoted because of their culinary skills, without receiving the management and leadership development.

As businesses now face intense competition to recruit and retain talent, there’s a heightened need for head chefs and aspiring head chefs to become better people managers and to possess the skills and confidence needed to engage, support, develop and motivate their teams.

The new Chef Management & Leadership Training Programme will give chefs the management and leadership skills needed for the future, helping them to lead, nurture and retain top talent.

Limited FREE places are available on the 15-hour programme (which runs weekly over 5 sessions) to head chefs and aspiring head chefs working and living in Scotland. Courses run between 21 February to 21 March 2022, covering:

• Leading a team
• HR practices
• Effective recruitment
• Retaining your staff
• Training and development

Sandra Kelly, UK Director, People 1st International comments:

“The hospitality and tourism industry has faced a turbulent time over the past two years, however as it begins to rebuild we have an opportunity to grow our top talent and ensure they are supported. By making managers a key learning and development focus, we’ll help them to become better people managers with the skills and confidence to address individual team needs.

We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland to offer the Chef Management & Leadership Training Programme to head chefs and aspiring head chefs in Scotland and would encourage those interested to apply today.”

Lawrence Durden, Tourism Sector Manager for Tourism at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said:

“The COVID -19 pandemic has had a devasting impact on the hospitality sector which is experiencing widespread attrition meaning many experience industry leaders and staff may no longer be working in hospitality creating business challenges for those who remain. Skills Development Scotland is delighted to support this programme, funded by Scottish government, which will support head chefs and aspiring head chefs to gain the skills and knowledge to grow strong teams who have the skills to drive recovery in the sector.”

Find out more about the programme and apply here.