Food hygiene course

milzty

Where can i get help in doing a food hygiene course while unemployed ? any free courses would be a big help.

Thanks

GoodNewmover

milzty wrote: »

Where can i get help in doing a food hygiene course while unemployed ? any free courses would be a big help.

Thanks

Tried the Train4Food, a City and Guilds Accredited centre.

saintjammyswine

Sadly as most providers will not get central funding for this course there are not a lot of options. Best bet is to speak to local colleges and JCP about any projects that are running for training people who are unemployed. Food safety is one area that is very commonly included in these projects. The latest round of ESF funding is being announced now so you may find there are some courses soon you can get onto.

GothicStirling

When looking for courses, make sure they are accredited by Institute for Environmental Health/Food Standards Agency. Otherwise, they are worthless.

saintjammyswine

GothicStirling wrote: »

When looking for courses, make sure they are accredited by Institute for Environmental Health/Food Standards Agency. Otherwise, they are worthless.

Not true. A premises only has to demonstrate a level of training has been done in line with the job role. This does NOT have to accredited i.e. by CIEH but can be a days training or even a few hours. The only reason an accredited course is better is that a recognsiged certificate is given out on completion and passing of an exam. A certificate of attendance that lists the elements of training done is just as satisfactory to the authorities.

Most training providers (including us) can offer the option of a non-accredited course along the usual CIEH that we run as a cheaper alternative (saves about £10 per person on the registration fees with CIEH).

GothicStirling

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Not true. A premises only has to demonstrate a level of training has been done in line with the job role. This does NOT have to accredited i.e. by CIEH but can be a days training or even a few hours. The only reason an accredited course is better is that a recognsiged certificate is given out on completion and passing of an exam. A certificate of attendance that lists the elements of training done is just as satisfactory to the authorities.

Most training providers (including us) can offer the option of a non-accredited course along the usual CIEH that we run as a cheaper alternative (saves about £10 per person on the registration fees with CIEH).

You don't have to, but it is preferred. Especially as internal food training varies in quality.

I'm definitely suspicious of a business that's more concerned about saving £10 when it comes to food hygiene practice.

When I was a catering manager any employees at least supervisor level were sent to college for Environmental Health training, and the staff at lower levels were trained by a trainer we brought in from The Food Standards Agency.

Also inhouse courses that aren't properly accredited are pretty worthless when moving jobs.

saintjammyswine

Not in-house courses, they are the same course but without the CIEH exam at the end of the day, rather a certificate of attendance. I can assure you that there are many, far too many companies that look to save £10 off the usual price of the course and not just smaller takeaways etc where you can understand they need to save every penny.

GothicStirling

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Not in-house courses, they are the same course but without the CIEH exam at the end of the day, rather a certificate of attendance. I can assure you that there are many, far too many companies that look to save £10 off the usual price of the course and not just smaller takeaways etc where you can understand they need to save every penny.

Maybe it's because I work in the high end of hospitality, but I find that quite unacceptable.

Save £10 or risk the £20,000 court fine if you give a customer food poisoning?

misssmcc

when i was unemployed my job centre advisor was able to get me a fee waiver for food hygiene at my local college. ask your advisor at your next appointment

paulwf

There are courses online where you can get a level 2 certificate for around £30. Although this is still a lot of money when unemployed it is a bonus point for your CV and shows you have an interest in that industry not just applying for jobs at random.

Although the courses do provide important training a lot of businesses will just see it as another tick in the box for the endless list of compliance procedures that they have to keep up with. If the EHO is happy with the certificates that is the main thing. EHO requirements vary by council but mine were happy with online training and certification for all full timers.

saintjammyswine

GothicStirling wrote: »

Maybe it's because I work in the high end of hospitality, but I find that quite unacceptable.

Save £10 or risk the £20,000 court fine if you give a customer food poisoning?

Why the food poisioning?

As in my post, it is not only the smaller, lower end outlets that do this. Several guided and even starred restaurants do the same. Because the supervision and quality is higher, a day of training is only to satisfy the regulations.