Greene King to launch prison training kitchens
Greene King is set to launch two new training kitchens in UK prisons.
As part of its expaning Releasing Potential prison leaver employment programme, Greene King is set to launch two new training kitchens in UK prisons.
A kitchen at HMP Onley will be opened in partnership with New Futures Network and one at HMP Perth will launch in partnership with Scottish Prison Service and Perth and Kinross Council.
The kitchens are designed to allow up to 60 prisoners each year to develop new skills in hospitality, from food preparation to customer service, with the goal of offering them employment once they leave prison.
Each site emulates a Greene King kitchen and delivers bespoke, accredited training programmes through a mix of classroom learning and practical sessions.
The programme will aim to help to build confidence and teach prisoners about food safety practices, kitchen hygiene and maintenance, allergens and the importance of time management and teamwork, with the aim that they can take up a role with Greene King on leaving custody.
"The new kitchens are a vital next step in our Releasing Potential programme that is helping to provide prison leavers with the employment and skills they need to build long-term careers in hospitality and successfully rehabilitate," says says Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King. "I’d like to thank to all of those who have worked hard behind the scenes in making this possible and I look forward to welcoming more candidates to the Greene King family thanks to the academies and programmes."
Releasing Potential
Greene King launched its Releasing Potential programme in May 2019 to support those leaving prison to find employment with the company following their release from prison. So far, Greene King has hired 260 prison leavers through the programme, with the aim of hiring a total of 400 by the end of 2025.
The pub operator works with more than 65 prisons across the UK, providing information and support for prisoners to develop their skills in food preparation, customer service, barista training and housekeeping to prepare them to potentially work in Greene King pubs and hotels upon their release.
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