Cookery managed apprenticeships a ‘win-win’
Learning on the job is proving to be mutually beneficial for Timaru hospitality business co-owner Kristy Phillips and two of her employees.
By participating in Ara Institute of Canterbury’s managed apprenticeship scheme, Chloe Lysaght and Mikayla Ratcliff, both employees at popular Timaru restaurant Cactus Fire, are upskilling while on the job.
In this mutually beneficial arrangement, both employees will gain Level 4 certificates in cookery while their employer, Kristy, will retain her valued staff and support them to grow their confidence, capability and readiness to take on more senior roles.
Kristy Phillips (centre), co-owner of Cactus Fire bar and restaurant in Timaru, is enormously proud of her employees Mikayla Ratcliff (left) and Chloe Lysaght and all they’ve achieved as managed apprentices.
“I’m so proud of their achievements so far,” Kristy says, adding that Chloe and Mikayla’s professional development has been matched by their personal growth and development.
“To have them call me after their assessments and to hear how well they’ve done is so satisfying.”
Kristy says having two of her team on the same course has allowed them to support each other but also added some healthy competition to the assessments and an increased incentive to achieve.
Chloe and Mikayla started their managed apprenticeships after Ara cookery tutor Wally Katene approached Kristy to tell her about the scheme, which sees employees learn from a mentor at their workplace. Ara provides structure and support for the employer, mentor and student, and stages workshops, assessments and practical tests to gauge the student’s progress.
Seeing the potential benefits of the scheme, Kristy suggested it to Chloe and Mikayla who were both keen. She then enlisted Cactus Fire’s head chef Sarah Heurea to be their mentor. Kristy says the managed apprenticeship scheme has worked well for them.
“That’s because we’ve had people invested in making it a success: Wally in communicating with each party, Sarah in taking the time to mentor, and Chloe and Mikayla learning to be organised and plan. It’s taken all of us to be ‘on the same bus’ to get the girls to such a successful destination.”
As well as gaining more skills and confidence through the scheme, apprentice Mikayla says she’s rediscovered her love for the industry.
“It’s an incredible experience getting your qualification while in the workplace and it’s not as hard as it may seem. Our tutor Wally was incredible to work with. He was kind and understanding of everyone’s different situations. He kept in constant touch about our lessons and answered every question we had. And I couldn’t have wished for a better mentor than Sarah. She was a great asset to my studies – incredibly knowledgeable, ready to help with any questions I had and extremely encouraging.”
Chloe says doing the managed apprenticeship has been the best career move she’s ever made. “I’ve gained more confidence and my overall skillset in the kitchen has improved so much. I’ve grown into a well-rounded chef because of the course and would recommend it to absolutely anyone.”
Kristy says the skills Chloe and Mikayla have learned have already been an asset to the business. “They’re helping to train new staff in the kitchen environment and upskill all the team around them. Our conversations around new menu ideas, costings and ordering targets are easier and more inclusive.”
Kristy believes it’s up to hospitality employers to grow the next generation of leaders. “We need to enable it, not hinder it, and to celebrate the wins with our teams as they learn new skills. I’m excited to be able to help Chloe and Mikayla grow within our business and achieve their career goals. It’s upskilling the whole industry.”