At the centre of this programme is the assistant chefs training course (an NQF 2 qualification) which, in partnership with the International Hotel School, is offered to employees of the Group. The course takes place over four months in monthly 3-day block sessions, which are further supported by ongoing workplace application and mentorship.

Upon completion participants will have skills ranging from telephone etiquette and technical knife skills to the preparation of sauces from scratch.

The first group of participants - 157 mainly female staff members - recently commenced training in Gauteng at the International Hotel School, and already the intense training is re-energising the fresh food departments.

- Moga Pillay, spokesperson for the Group’s training programmes

 Lucretia Mathedimosa, a deli controller at Checkers Hyper Montana in Pretoria, is one of the participants. She believes this course is changing the direction of her career and is positive it will open doors.

- Lucretia Mathedimosa, a deli controller and participant of the assistant chefs training course