Employability

Skye and Lochaber Cookery Initiative Pilot

The Skye and Lochaber Cookery Initiative Pilot is funded by the Highland Council and the Scottish Government under the Youth Guarantee, No One Left Behind, Long Term Unemployed and Parental Employment Support funding streams.

Commencing February 2022, The Highland Council along with partners across the Lochaber and Skye area are launching a Cookery Initiative pilot to reduce local unemployment and increase sustainability of employment within the hospitality sector.

The initiative seeks to encourage up to 22 individuals across Lochaber and Skye to gain experience across a range of Council, NHS Highland, and commercial kitchens, while, at the same time, undertaking an accredited college course.

At the end of the initiative, it is hoped that the participants will choose a career in cookery, secure work and further training in the sector or progress onto a full-time cookery course before joining the sector.

The Offer

The Course is suitable for Christmas School Leavers and anyone of a working age who has been unemployed for 8+ weeks.

Participants can expect:

• 6 months paid employment (Scottish living wage)
• Industry recognised qualifications
• SQA accreditation
• Guaranteed entry onto cookery course at West Highland College UHI on completion of programme
• Guaranteed job interview at end of programme
• Mentoring support

For more information or to state your interest in applying for the course please email with your contact details to employability@highland.gov.uk

Host a Work Placement

We would like to hear from businesses interested in hosting a work placement within their commercial kitchen, who are able provide support and mentoring to participants, helping them towards employment within the industry.

For more information or to state your interest in hosting a work experience placement please email employability@highland.gov.uk