Scotland’s National Chef backs Food Standards Scotland’s funding for 10,000 Scottish pupils to gain food safety qualification

Food Standards Scotland is providing £50,000 to match the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland’s (REHIS) contribution 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.

This will be the fourth year of support from Food Standards Scotland which has allowed nearly 40,000 pupils to gain skills and knowledge to apply food hygiene in a catering or hospitality setting.

The REHIS Schools Food Hygiene Initiative is available to all secondary schools in Scotland for pupils aged between 13 and 18. It provides pupils with a national   qualification, which will be of use to them and future employers, and helps Scotland meet the SQA Curriculum for Excellence, Health and Wellbeing (Food and Health) experiences and outcomes.

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.”