Catering and Food Production - Vocational Academy
Opportunities in the North West
As Europe’s most visited tourist resort, Blackpool is the perfect place to build up your experience and training. Locally, food manufacturing is also strong, with Burtons and Fox’s Biscuits employing around 1,000 staff. When it comes to food, the first thing people usually think about is cafes and restaurants but the catering industry is huge: institutional catering (providing food in hospitals, prisons and schools) and airline catering all offer excellent job opportunities. In areas like quality control and product development senior employees can earn around £40,000 a year. Right now, there’s a shortage of food technologists so some companies will pay you to do a degree in this area.
What Course Should You Do
Entry Level/Level 1
If you have not completed a GCSE programme
- Catering and Hospitality
Level 1
If you have completed a GCSE programme
- Catering, Chef
- Catering, Food Service
- Bakery, Bakery
- Butchery, Butchery (Meat)
Level 2
If you have completed the Level 1 programme or If you have 4 GCSEs at grade C or above or a merit grade at First Certificate or Introductory Diploma
- Catering, Chef
- Catering, Food Service
- Bakery, Bakery and Patisserie
- Butchery, Meat Processing/Butchery Skills
If you are 19+ with an interest in food and catering
- Catering, Chef Fast-Track
- Catering, Food Service Fast-Track
- Bakery, Bakery and Patisserie Fast-Track
Level 3
If you have a recent Level 2 qualification in a food subject
- Catering, Chef
- Catering, Pastry Chef
- Catering, Food Service
- Catering, Hospitality Supervision
- Bakery, Bakery
- Butchery, Butchery (Meat)
Career Low-Down
| Job title | Career paths | How much they earn | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chef | Commis chef | £12,000 a year | A Level 3 qualification. Move up through the ranks as you get more experienced. If you’re good you could be a Head Chef within 5 years. |
| Chef de Partie (responsible for an area, like puddings) | £18,000 a year | ||
| Sous Chef (second-in-command) | £20,000+ a year | ||
| Head Chef | £25,000 - £40,000 a year | ||
| Baker/Butcher | Own Business | Anything from £10,000 to £100,000 a year | At least a Level 3 qualification. A management qualification will develop your business skills. |
| Large scale industry (eg Mr Kipling/Bernard Matthews) | A Level 3 qualification. Move up through the ranks as you get more experienced. | ||
| Operative | £300 a week | ||
| Supervisor | £400 a week | ||
| Line Manager | £20,000+ a year | ||
| Production Manager | £30,000+ a year | ||
| In-store bakery/butcher’s (supermarket) | A Level 3 qualification. Move up through the ranks as you get more experienced. | ||
| Operative | £300 a week | ||
| Leading Hand | £400 a week | ||
| Bakery/Butchery Manager | £20,000+ a year | ||
| Section Manager | £25,000 a year | ||
| Department Manager | £30,000 a year | ||
| Store Manager | £35,000 or more a year | ||
Meet the Learner
Name: Lisa Lawson
Age: 17
High School: Fleetwood
Course: Chef’s Diploma Level 1
Why College?
I’ve wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. I think it’s from watching my mum cook!
What’s good?
They have really good facilities - I work in the restaurant here at Bispham to put into practice what I’ve learned. I also join in with the Level 3 group as a volunteer so I can learn even more.
What’s best?
The tutors are really supportive and they really help you out.
Best dish:
I love cooking and experimenting with different types of meat.
What’s next?
I’m going to do the Level 2 course in September and then I’d like to either work in a restaurant or have my own restaurant.
Best chef:
Jamie Oliver
To find out more about Vocational study at Blackpool and The Fylde College, please visit our Vocational Academy Section
