As the leaders in the hospitality industry, we feel a responsibility to attract young people into the industry and ignite their passion for food.
We were therefore delighted that our UK based Junior Chefs’ Academy programme retained its Big Tick in the education category for 2009, awarded by Business in the Community. The award recognises businesses that have demonstrated significant impact and high quality management of their responsible business practices and who can show a positive impact on both society and the business. The highly successful Junior Chefs’ Academy, which attracts, develops and trains new talent for the hospitality industry, has been operating since 2003 and now includes 47 courses run in 20 colleges across the UK & Ireland. In 2009, Compass expanded the Academy to focus on three different skill levels, linked the Academy to its apprenticeship scheme and started on the path to NVQ accreditation. By the end of 2009, more than 3,600 young people will have experienced a flavour of the hospitality industry.