Independent higher education providers are ready to power our leading industries with cutting-edge provision
The next Government should:
- Introduce Technical Education Awarding Powers to empower a new generation of specialist institutes to become beacons of industry excellence
- Create the conditions for investment in specialist technical education and training wherever it is needed
Leiths School of Food and Wine
Leiths School of Food and Wine is one of the most respected culinary institutions in the UK, providing specialist training for a range of roles in the culinary and hospitality sectors, alongside a culinary education offer for ages 5+.
Leiths recognise the need for culinary qualifications to evolve – to meet the changing needs of the sector. This includes creating more culturally diverse qualifications and teaching the skills professionals need for changing workplace environments, such as recipe development for large-scale culinary production or the management of online meal companies.
Leiths know their industry well. Established in 1975 by renowned chef and food writer Prue Leith, their education focuses on quality, sustainability and innovation. They connect their graduates to employers through Leith’s List, an exclusive agency for high-quality private chefs, as well as restaurant chefs, food consultants, food stylists, recipe developers, demonstrators and assistants. These close links help to build a picture of what the industry needs in real-time.
Leiths USP is in food education – with extensive expertise in teaching food and nutrition, from primary and secondary education level through to higher level qualifications. Leiths have recognised a significant skills gap in provision: specialist training for food educators. Responding to this need, they are developing the first ever Level 7 and PGCE in Food and Nutrition in partnership with a leading university. For Leiths, students need to be inspired to cook from a young age, regardless of their career plans. Their innovative approach to the culinary industry offers younger learners a fresh perspective on future roles in an ever changing industry.
Providers like Leiths need their own awarding powers to be able to realise their potential
Providers like Leiths need their own awarding powers to be able to realise their potential and develop specialist provision that keeps pace with industry demand. They need the flexibility to develop funded qualifications at Levels 4 and 5, creating pathways from their Level 2 and 3 provision, and onwards to degree level study. They need to be able to move quickly – launching new courses in response to employer needs, starting with small numbers. They need access to student funding so that their qualifications are accessible to all learners.
The provision of targeted funding to invest in the development of courses could lead to a more extensive offer in food education – by broadening sustainability in the curriculum, enriching the diversity of the culinary sector, or developing more specialist courses to give teachers the skills they need for their profession.