Welcome to the Exmoor & Coast Centre of Excellence for Training and Career Opportunities in Hospitality
About
The Exmoor & Coast Centre of Excellence is a forum of motivated area partners and business representatives who are working together to sustainably develop and promote opportunity, training, and education across the area.
Our Vision
Our vision is to foster, develop and work in partnership to achieve:
• A sustainable and growing local network of talented and passionate, locally trained hospitality staff.
• Commitment and motivation from our local hospitality businesses to play their part in striving for excellence in employment and opportunity.
• An area that is recognised for developing and retaining talent and excellence in hospitality skills.
Businesses & Partners
The Exmoor & Coast Centre of Excellence partners are: Butlins, Cross Lane House, Aurora Foxes Hospitality and Catering College, Bridgwater & Taunton College, The West Somerset College, Petroc and Visit Exmoor.
Exmoor Young Chef Competition 2022
A Young Chef competition is to be held at West Somerset College, Minehead on Saturday 2nd July 2022! The event will profile young chef’s skills and creativity using local produce. The project recognises the importance of local food and tourism to the rural economy and aims to upskill young people and inspire them to consider the opportunities in all aspects of the catering industry on Exmoor and surrounding areas. The competition aims to place the emphasis on food and drink that is grown and produced on Exmoor and is inextricably linked in production to the Exmoor area.
Who can take part and How? The competition is open to young people living or at school within the Greater Exmoor area, and aged 14 to 18 years on 31st August 2022 (School years 10-13 i.e.with a date of birth between Sept 2002 and August 2007.)
What is the application process? Entrants should complete an Entry Form, and return it online, with up to 10 photographs (self and meals they have prepared and made) to: exmooryoungchef@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk no later than 2nd May 2022.
Please find below all the information including the details for entry, judging process and the exciting competition prizes on offer!
Introducing the Butlin's Chef Academy
Whether you’ve worked in kitchens for years or this is a new adventure for you, the Butlin’s Chef Academy is going to elevate your skills, knowledge and experience to totally new levels. This is something completely new and different to the hospitality sector and you could be part of it!
Starting in early 2022 our new Butlin’s Chef Academy will bring together on the job learning, culinary masterclasses, industry visits, formal qualifications, coaching, mentoring and advanced lessons in world cuisine. Will you be one of the lucky team members who take part in this opportunity of a lifetime?
Free Level 1 and Level 2 Training - West Coast 360
West Coast 360 and Skill Up West Somerset are pleased to offer FREE training to employers, their staff and anyone interested in working in the hospitality and leisure industry. These courses are for West Somerset residents, whether returning from furlough, wishing to gain more skills or looking to start a career in the sector.
Courses include: Level 1 and Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene, Manual Handling, First Aid at Work Refresher Training, Food Allergy Awareness Training and Customer Service Training. Take a look on the link below for full listings and details on how to sign up.
Spotlight On: Aurora Foxes
Aurora Foxes is a specialist college and training hotel for young people with learning disabilities, situated in the friendly seaside town of Minehead. Our aim is to help our students find sustainable employment in the hospitality sector and to live independently. We believe in changing lives by giving our students the skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully shape their own futures. Our motto is ‘work ready, life ready’.
We are a Disability Confident Leader, in recognition of our success in changing perceptions about employing people with disabilities. Aurora Foxes has also won three TripAdvisor Awards. Read More.
Spotlight On: Petroc College
Petroc College of Further and Higher Education has three campuses across beautiful North and Mid Devon. We offer some truly exceptional facilities and spaces where students can learn, practice skills and relax. We also provide an array of enrichment opportunities to help students get the most out of college life and build knowledge, experience and friendships. We offer a huge range of training opportunities, from apprenticeships to industry short-courses, distance learning and part-time qualifications.
Spotlight On: Bridgwater & Taunton College - Apprenticeships
Bridgwater & Taunton College has strategically placed itself as the region’s leading provider for technical and professional training, with our recent Ofsted inspection awarding the College Outstanding in Apprenticeships. We work in collaboration with a large number of local and national employers to train the next generation of professionals, combining leading edge practice with a wealth of opportunity and development.
Apprenticeships:
Hospitality & Tourism Sector page – Hospitality & Tourism – Bridgwater & Taunton College (btc.ac.uk)
Contact us a member of the Bridgwater & Taunton College Business Development Team:
Email: business@btc.ac.uk
Call: 01278 655 111
Spotlight On: Bridgwater & Taunton College - Distance Learning
Bridgwater & Taunton College has strategically placed itself as the region’s leading provider for technical and professional training, with our recent Ofsted inspection awarding the College Outstanding in Apprenticeships. We work in collaboration with a large number of local and national employers to train the next generation of professionals, combining leading edge practice with a wealth of opportunity and development.
Distance Learning
Free Distance Learning courses offer students the flexibility of studying a selection of Level 2 and Level 3 courses from home and either online or paper-based, with the support of a specialist tutor. It is also a great opportunity for employers to offer free continuous development programmes to your workforce. FREE Distance Learning – Bridgwater & Taunton College (btc.ac.uk)
Contact us a member of the Bridgwater & Taunton College Business Development Team:
Email: business@btc.ac.uk
Call: 01278 655 111
Spotlight On: Bridgwater & Taunton College - Courses for Adults
Bridgwater & Taunton College has strategically placed itself as the region’s leading provider for technical and professional training, with our recent Ofsted inspection awarding the College Outstanding in Apprenticeships. We work in collaboration with a large number of local and national employers to train the next generation of professionals, combining leading edge practice with a wealth of opportunity and development.
Courses for Adults
Health and safety: Search Results – Bridgwater & Taunton College (btc.ac.uk)
Catering and hospitality: Search Results – Bridgwater & Taunton College (btc.ac.uk)
General information on courses for adults: Courses For Adults in Somerset – Bridgwater & Taunton College (btc.ac.uk)
Contact us a member of the Bridgwater & Taunton College Business Development Team:
Email: business@btc.ac.uk
Call: 01278 655 111
The Ambassador Programme
The Ambassador Programme is an online training course which has been developed by West Coast 360 to assist those working within the hospitality and leisure industries to improve their local knowledge and customer service skills. As well as those who are interested in pursuing a career within the sector.
Having good local knowledge and giving excellent customer service are key elements in the experience of visitors and in bringing them back to the area and to local businesses. The aim of the Programme is to ‘create Ambassadors for the West Somerset area and to improve the service that visitors to the area receive.’
