RESTAURANT APPRENTICES SERVE UP A TASTE FOR SUCCESS AT SIX

The sky’s the limit for two Tyneside youngsters who have landed sought-after apprenticeships at BALTIC rooftop restaurant SIX.

Nineteen-year-olds Andrew Sinclair, from South Shields, and Rachael Scott, from Felling, will be trained in all aspects of food preparation and hospitality at the prestigious sixth floor eatery, which has panoramic views across the Newcastle and Gateshead quayside.

Both secured the roles through the North East Apprenticeship Company (NEAC), which has a regional brief to expand apprenticeship positions, tackling the skills gap to create more than 1,000 new apprentice jobs by 2012, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

More than 150 companies have signed up with the NEAC since it was launched and more than 400 potential apprentices have registered for placements.

Andrew and Rachael, who will qualify with NVQ level 2 Professional Cookery and Level 2 Food and Drink Service during their 12 month placements, are working full-time under the watchful eye of head chef and former restaurateur, Adam Hegarty, who was himself trained at London’s five star Claridge’s Hotel.

They will not only work behind the scenes in the kitchens learning how to cook the modern British classic dishes served at SIX, but they will also be trained to the high front-of-house standards that the restaurant prides itself on.

Adam explained: “These two are working very hard in all areas, from the kitchen to customer service. I’m very impressed with both of them.

“Andrew is already demonstrating the drive required to make it as a professional chef while Rachael is showing strengths on the event management side of things.

“Although it’s early days, both have shown they have the potential to succeed in the hospitality and restaurant business and I would like to thank the North East Apprenticeship Company for finding and recruiting them for us.”

Andrew added: “I’ve always wanted to be a chef. Being at the Baltic is brilliant – the day flies by and I’m learning some great skills which will help me in my future career.

“The North East Apprenticeship Company provided a great service to help me find this job. I simply applied online before being offered an interview and then winning the apprenticeship.

“The NEAC advisors were really helpful and the process was made easy by their support and guidance throughout.

“I’m really looking forward with confidence to the future and I’m going to use this opportunity to work hard and be the best chef I can be.”

The NEAC managing director Paul Champion said: “Good luck to Andrew and Rachael in their new exciting roles at the Baltic. It is great to see local employers like SIX investing in young people and seeing them as a vital part of the future success of their business.

“We can not only recruit young people for apprenticeships but support employers across a range of sectors with administrative services which make it easy and beneficial for companies to use apprentices.”

Cooking up a bright future: Andrew Sinclair (front left) and Rachael Scott (future right) have been placed as apprentices at BALTIC rooftop restaurant SIX by the North East Apprenticeship Company. Looking on are (left) Adam Hegarty and the NEAC’s Rachael Mood.

More at http://www.neapprenticeship.co.uk/ or email info@neapprenticeship.co.uk Tel: 0191 490 2453.