The Gloucester community is set to benefit from an exciting new training facility Blue Print Kitchen located in the local industrial estate.
Initiated by the team at Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group (BWNG) the facility will provide local youth with accredited Hospitality training, with Trainees having the opportunity to put their skills into practice by using the commercial kitchen, café and outdoor dining area.
BWNG Training Services Team Leader Erin Lute thanked the ETC Community Support Fund for a grant which enabled them to purchase a triple door fridge, display cabinets and a coffee machine to help bring the project to operational capacity.
“This is a wonderful facility that we are very proud to provide for the Gloucester community thanks to ETC, Mid Coast Council, Uniting Church and Gloucester Charities,” Ms Lute said.
“As a small rural town, the opportunities for training are limited – so we’re hoping to address this issue as well as the high unemployment rate.”
Meals on Wheels recipients will also benefit from the facility with the students preparing and cooking food for locals who are carers, have a disability, or are socially disadvantaged.
“Currently there are no services in our area providing hot meals for our community. So now we can provide fresh nutritious food for them as opposed to frozen or packaged items,” Ms Lute said.
“Also, another reason we picked the site out here was because there is nothing currently servicing our industrial area which employs around 200 people. These workers have to drive to the main street if they want to buy lunch – which cuts into their break time. Now they can access freshly prepared food close by and support our Trainees.”
Blue Print Kitchen Trainee Courtney Whitby is planning to go to University when she finishes High School and says this is a great way for her to gain some skills to help with her future.
“I’ll need to find a job most likely in the Hospitality industry to support myself when I’m at Uni. So it’s been great training here – I’ve learned how to make coffees, use the fryers, set-up the kitchen, cleaning, knife skills etc,” said Courtney.
Currently four school-based trainees and two part-time trainees are undertaking Certificates II and III in Hospitality with further opportunities available in June for 12 local youth. To find out more contact Erin by phoning 02 6558 2454 or emailing training@bwng.org.au
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