As you may be aware the Academy is always looking for ways in which we can help industry equip their staff with the tools to ensure their customers receive an enhanced dining experience.
For example about 18 months ago we were asked to look at creating some entry level training courses which would equip food and beverage service staff with the skills which industry wanted from a junior staff member. We worked with a focus group to identify the skill and knowledge areas an employer might expect a new staff member to be in possession of after a short course. Thus the Licence to Work programme was born. We have been successfully rolling out Licence to Work in Wine Service, Food Service (fine and casual dining options available) and Banqueting Service; with Bar Service and Hot Beverage Service in development.
More recently our members have asked us if we could look into creating a skills assessment and knowledge test. The idea being that business or individuals could assess potential candidates or current staff and establish what areas they were stronger in and where they may need further training.
Essentially it would be a web based (e-assessment) programme, accessed remotely with a user name and password. You could use it at intervew stage, induction or after staff had undergone their initial training. The programme will look at knowledge and skills across 5 primary areas (customer, food, wine, banqueting, and bar service) and following the assessment, managers/supervisors or interviewers will be able to see how well individuals scored in each area. Therefore aiding recruitment and training plan decisions.
We’re at the stage now where we’d like to garner a bit more feedback and so have developed a very short (7 questions, max 5mins) survey which can be found here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FXS9QX5
It essentially asks if this is something you or your business would find useful and what skills and knowledge areas you believe should be included.
I know you are all very busy but in order for us to meet the needs of our industry we really do rely on industry to feed back to us their requirements/thoughts. So if you can spend just 5 mins on this it really would be much appreciated.
