NWRC and Taste Causeway collaborate on a new Safe and Alert Accreditation for Hospitality Businesses

North West Regional College (NWRC) Business Support Centre (BSC) and Taste Causeway have developed a new Health and Safety Working Practices course for hospitality businesses in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, which is funded by the Department for the Economy’s Skills Focus Programme.

It is relevant to restaurants, cafes, takeaways, food vans and restaurants within hotels. All participants will gain an appreciation and understanding of relevant legislation and guidance from the government and other relevant agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive and its application to their business.

Businesses will be required to complete a risk assessment and map out additional equipment and PPE required for employee and public safety within their premises and assess the viability of these working practices. Each business will also appoint a dedicated Champion who will be the point of contact for their business to disseminate updates/information/best practice to be made and implemented.

On successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a Level 2 Health and Safety Working Practices qualification. Taste Causeway and its partner organisations will use the scheme as part of their recovery marketing and return to work planning.

Sinead Hawkins, Business Skills Manager at NWRC said: “This was a unique request that initially came from Taste Causeway. We then talked this through with many of our clients in the Innovation Centre and found there were genuine concerns about applying the guidelines from government.We wanted to see how we could provide a course that practically guided and supported businesses in returning to work.

“We have a fantastic curriculum team in this area that developed and drove this idea forward. We are delighted that Safe Cert are accrediting this online course at Level 2 and we plan to role this out to other industries in the next few weeks.”

Sharon Scott, Lead Facilitator for the Taste Causeway Collaborative Growth Network which is supported by Invest NI and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council added: “We are delighted to work with NWRC and harness their expertise and experience to deliver a course which meets the needs of the hospitality businesses at this difficult time.The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the industry who have been closed for over 10 weeks now.

“As we enter the recovery phase and plan for re-opening, it was important for the businesses that they were trained in health and safety and received a recognised qualification to help them understand their legal obligations.This course provides information in an accessible way and helps give businesses the confidence to navigate the minefield of guidelines and procedures that they have received in recent weeks.

“Collaboratively, the hospitality businesses are able to go their customers with this key message that they are open and ready for business. We are hoping that over the coming weeks to get as many businesses as possible through the course to send out a clear, concise message which is backed up by recognised accredited training and business support.”

If you are a business based in Northern Ireland with less than 250 staff and looking to up-skill, you could be eligible for the Department for the Economy’s Skills Focus Programme.

For more information about the Health and Safety Working Practices course or to apply email info@tastecauseway.com or call 07827321492