Guernsey Press

Look to the future, urges college principal

COLLEGE of Further Education principal Trevor Wakefield says the island's catering industry must support its future chefs.

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COLLEGE of Further Education principal Trevor Wakefield says the island's catering industry must support its future chefs.

Many apprentices are forced to work long hours and the college has issued guidelines for employers to help ease the lot of staff. They include a recommended minimum wage, proper breaks and compensation for overtime. 'We can't dictate to an employer what they do, but these are what we are suggesting.'

Steve Bacon is head of catering at the college. 'Steve is trying to say, "come on, we've got a brilliant opportunity here for you, take it",' said Mr Wakefield (pictured), himself a former catering apprentice.

He added that improvements were being made, but it was still a difficult industry. 'It tends to attract very passionate people, those who live and breathe their work.'

The apprenticeship scheme, under which students are supposed to be released from work one day per week for college, has been described as the jewel in the crown of the education system by UK inspectors.

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