Catering Assistant

Nelson and Colne College Group; Accrington; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Enhanced sick pay

Health and wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Nelson and Colne College Group is seeking a Catering Assistant to join our Refectory team at the Accrington campus. This part-time, permanent role involves assisting with the preparation, cooking and service of meals in a busy canteen, ensuring a welcoming environment and efficient service for customers.

You will work 25 hours per week across 38 weeks per year, with duties spanning kitchen prep, serving, and general cleaning while maintaining high standards of health and safety and COSHH

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent) including grade C/4 in Maths and English and a basic food hygiene certificate.
• Experience of working within a busy, high volume catering operation.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of COSHH and food hygiene requirements.
• Possess excellent communication and relationship building skills.
• Suitability to work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.

Responsibilities

• Assist the catering team with the preparation, cooking and service arrangements within the Refectory/ Canteen.
• Assist with the serving of meals, ensuring correct portion control.
• Assist with general kitchen duties including cleaning and preparing the dining area.
• Ensure all procured food and supplies are of a quality standard.
• Ensure adherence to all procedures related to Health and Safety and COSHH regulations with regard to food, equipment, materials and general safety.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Food hygiene knowledge

Health and safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English (minimum 4)

Basic food hygiene certificate

Tools

None

Job description

The Vacancy

Catering Assistant

Salary: £14,579.96 (£25,747.35 full time equivalent)

Hours: 25 per week

Working Weeks: 38 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Site: Accrington & Rossendale College

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 11 October 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026

'Together, Let's Be Extraordinary'

Our Organisation

This role is advertised by ELLG Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider Group.

Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, Accrington and Rossendale College has a proud history of delivering high quality vocational courses and technical training, apprenticeships and higher education provision to the communities that we serve. We excel in providing people with a platform to progress into fantastic employment opportunities with rewarding careers prospects.

The Exciting Role

Are you enthusiastic, customer focused and passionate about great food service? We are looking for a dedicated Catering Assistant to join our Refectory team on a part-time, permanent basis. As a member of our Catering team, you will support with the preparation, cooking and service of meals within our busy Refectory. You will help create a welcoming environment, ensuring every customer enjoys a friendly and efficient service.

The role will be based at our Accrington & Rossendale College campus however, travel across sites may be required.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Assist the catering team with the preparation, cooking and service arrangements within the Refectory/ Canteen
• Assist with the serving of meals, ensuring correct portion control
• Assist with general kitchen duties including cleaning and preparing the dining area
• Ensure all procured food and supplies are of a quality standard
• Ensure adherence to all procedures related to Health and Safety and COSHH regulations with regard to food, equipment, materials and general safety

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum of 4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent) including grade C/4 in Maths and English and a basic food hygiene certificate
• Experience of working within a busy, high volume, catering operation
• Excellent customer service skills
• Comprehensive understanding of COSHH and food hygiene requirements
• Possess excellent communication and relationship building skills
• Suitability to work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults

What We Offer in Return:

• Access to a workplace pension scheme - with generous employer contributions
• Generous annual leave allowance including a two-week closure over the Christmas period
• Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
• Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
• Free on-site parking on all College sites

Please visit our 'working for us' section of our website for a full list of our benefits http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/

Further Questions?

Please contact our friendly HR Team [e-mail]

All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children. Should you wish to discuss this further, please get in touch with the HR team.

East Lancashire Learning Group

East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) is comprised of Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College, Lancashire Adult Learning and ELLG Professional Services. Together we exist to transform lives through education, skills, and opportunity. Across the Group, we are home to 2,400 A Level and technical students aged 16 to 18, 16,500 adult learners, 1,300 apprentices, and 400 higher education students, all taking confident steps into high-value professional and technical careers through skills and higher education.

We are deeply rooted in our communities and proud to work alongside hundreds of local employers, shaping a skilled, adaptable, and ambitious workforce that drives growth and opportunity across our region. Our commitment goes beyond teaching; we offer personalised support, real-world experiences, and pathways that raise aspirations and strengthen social mobility for learners of all backgrounds.

Rated Outstanding by Ofsted for 20 consecutive years - the only college in the country to achieve this - ELLG combines excellent teaching and learning, driven by evidence-based pedagogies and practice, with innovation and employer partnership to meet the evolving needs of learners, industry, and society. Our drive towards research and development in teaching and learning underpins our practice, supporting our colleges to achieve sector-leading outcomes in English and maths, exceptional A level progress, and high satisfaction in higher education through the National Student Survey. In doing so, we create opportunities that strengthen our region, support employers, and open doors for every learner to achieve their potential.

The Benefits

Pay & Conditions

Rewards & Recognition

Facilities & Working Environment

Professional Development

Health & Wellbeing

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Documents

5. HR - ELLG Rewards Scheme.pdf

2. JD - Catering Asst.pdf