The Villa Catering Club is delivered in partnership with Bangers n' Mashup CIC, with course accreditation being supplied by the Nationwide Caterers Association and South and City College Birmingham, will provide learners with real life work experience, advice on setting up their own food business and qualifications in catering and hospitality sector.
Delivered at Villa Park over a 10-16-week period, the programme is available free of charge to people over the age of 16, will help to support the hospitality industry which has struggled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Aston Villa Foundation, alongside Socios.com Supports and Digbeth Dining Club CIC, have successfully launched ‘Kerbside Cobs’ - a catering van redeveloped from a former crime scene investigation unit, providing culinary education to communities in Birmingham.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt across the hospitality industry, with many employers noticing significant skills gaps when it comes to hiring new employees.
With employment rates in Birmingham the lowest across the West Midlands, the primary aim for the project is to provide vital work experience, qualifications, and employment opportunities to individuals from disadvantaged communities within Birmingham.
The van also operates as a food vendor at community events and match days at Villa Park, as well as visiting local schools and community organisations to provide further food and health education to promote healthy lifestyles.
