ESS Energy is celebrating the graduation of the first cohort from its Next Wave programme, designed to develop future chef managers for the sector. The specialist provider of foodservice and facilities management to the offshore sector and related industries is offering a 12-month course which blends practical experiences with leadership development.
Six candidates have spent 12 months completing on-the-job training, workshops, e-learning and practical work, culminating in a final project to develop the knowledge, behaviours and competencies required to be a successful chef manager. Senior mentors have been on hand throughout.
Successful completion of the course was marked at a special graduation event held at an ESS client site in Aberdeen. Delegates presented their final projects, enjoyed a lunch prepared by ESS chefs and received recognition awards along with a chef jacket, hat, knife and certificates.
Ronnie Kelman, Managing Director – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, said: ‘Providing a home-from-home experience for offshore workers who are away for two to three weeks at a time, ESS chef managers require technical skills as well as adaptability, resilience and composure under pressure, all of which have been developed throughout the course. The energy industry has a well-documented aging workforce and we have designed the programme to ensure a strong pipeline of managers coming through. It reinforces the company’s commitment to upskilling its people and investing in their development, as well as providing reassurance to clients around service continuity.
I’d like to thank the supply partners who’ve supported us this year, including 3t, Mackintosh of Glendaveny, Lockhart Catering Equipment, Churchill China and Force 10 Marketing, whose contributions have enriched the experience for our candidates.
Jennifer McGroarty, Head of HR at ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, added: ‘We’re delighted at the success of Next Wave. Not only have the participants thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the course, they’ve also made efforts to get involved in activities outside of their day-to-day roles. We’ve continually challenged the candidates to build on their expertise, stretch themselves and develop new skills. They have impressed us time and again and I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved. Congratulations, all – the future of our sector is in safe hands.’
A new cohort has already started their Next Wave journey, and ESS is set to announce a further new development to the course later this year.
Next Wave supports Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Our Social Promise which includes its ‘Mission to a Million’, a commitment to positively impact one million lives from within and outside the organisation by 2030.