Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) has unveiled its first-ever Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme, in collaboration with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), a member of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Aiming to instil essential culinary skills through hands-on experience and exposure to the trade, the programme has taken on board its first batch of 15 apprentices from six nationalities: the Philippines, Uganda, India, Nepal, Ghana, and Sri Lanka.
The new program, launched on 1 September, brings theoretical classroom training and DCT training together with actual practical experience in EKFC kitchens. Graduates receive a worldwide-accredited Certificate III in Culinary Arts, certified by the UAE Ministry of Education.
Investment in training and educational programs such as the Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme is an aspect of EKFC’s vision to create a talented pipeline of staff to aid its own expected expansion over the next few years, in concert with master plans for Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and capacity expansion at Dubai International (DXB) to accommodate higher levels of air travel demand.
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It also facilitates Dubai’s outstanding gastronomic sector growth, by driving career development in culinary arts and hospitality and filling the sector’s skills gap by developing trained professionals.
Shahreyar Nawabi, Emirates Flight Catering Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Culinary apprenticeships offer a tried and tested route into the industry, placing trainees at the center of the demanding rigors and rhythms of a professional kitchen, while they can draw on the experience and insight of experienced chefs.
Launching and developing the Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme at EKFC is part of our ongoing strategy to drive standards in the ever-changing culinary world, to develop home-grown talent and to empower our teams.
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It’s good for our business and the industry as a whole, and it’s our contribution to Dubai’s emerging culinary scene and thriving tourism economy. This is just the start, and we are determined to develop the scope and scale of this programme in the years to come.”
Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of DCT and CEO of the Economic Strategy Sector at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Dubai College of Tourism is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent in the culinary and tourism sectors, and this partnership will allow us to support Emirates Flight Catering in upholding Dubai’s global reputation for hospitality, and meeting growing demand for its services.
This programme is an epitome of our collaborative culture, where stakeholder partnerships allow us to curate and champion Dubai’s varied propositions, and offer a superior service to visitors across all touchpoints, and fuel long-term growth in the sector. We are dedicated to perpetuating this path of innovation and excellence, further cementing Dubai’s stature as an unmissable destination.
