Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland’s (REHIS) funding of £50,000 is being matched by Food Standards Scotland to expand the delivery of the Elementary Food Hygiene Course. This will provide up to 10,000 secondary school pupils with the resources to complete the training in 2018.
The REHIS Schools Food Hygiene Initiative is an innovative national initiative, which leads to the award of the REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate. It has been in place for over twenty years and has proved to be exceptionally popular with Scottish secondary school teachers and students, and with the food industry.
Successful students gain an industry recognised qualification which can fast track them into employment within the food industry and/or seasonal employment while undertaking higher or further education. Some students have found that taking this qualification while at school has supported other areas of their studies, including Home Economics. It also helps Scotland meet the SQA Curriculum for Excellence, Health and Wellbeing (Food and Health) experiences and outcomes.
The generous co-funding of the Institute’s initiative by Food Standards Scotland in recent years has led to an increase in the number of participating schools and successful students.
Gary Maclean, Scotland’s first National Chef and Senior Chef Lecturer at City of Glasgow College, said: “Awarding bodies such as REHIS play a fundamental role in equipping budding chefs and caterers with the skills and knowledge to start their culinary career.
“It begins with education, so investment in the food hygiene qualification will optimise fresh talent getting a ‘foot in the door’.”
Elspeth Macdonald, Food Standards Scotland’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The REHIS Food Hygiene Course is invaluable for anyone in – or aspiring to be in – catering and hospitality.
“We are delighted to continue supporting Scotland’s school pupils in obtaining this qualification which will serve them well in future, whether they are providing safe food in the home or within the food and drink industry.”
Tom Bell, REHIS Chief Executive, said: “On behalf of REHIS, I would like to thank Food Standards Scotland for generously match funding our schools food hygiene initiative, which will be fundamental in supporting its delivery in schools across the nation.
“Young people benefit widely from the initiative which provides them with an industry recognised qualification for future employment. Some students have found it useful when looking for part-time work during the school holidays or for supporting certain areas of the SQA Curriculum, such as Home Economics.”
Please contact Jackie McCabe, Director of Training at jm@rehis.com for further information.
