Catering Assistant

East Lancashire Learning Group; Broadfield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational organisation is seeking a dedicated Catering Assistant to join the Refectory team on a part-time, term-time basis. The successful candidate will assist with meal preparation, cooking, and service, ensuring a welcoming environment for students and visitors. Excellent customer service and communication skills are essential. Responsibilities also include maintaining food safety standards and assisting with general kitchen duties. This is a great opportunity for those passionate about food service in an educational setting.

Benefits

Workplace pension scheme

Enhanced occupational sick pay

Health and wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy, high-volume catering operation.
• Basic food hygiene certificate.
• Understanding of COSHH and food hygiene requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation, cooking, and serving.
• Support general kitchen duties including cleaning.
• Ensure food safety and quality standards.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication

Ability to work with children and young people

Education

4 GCSE qualifications including grade C/4 in Maths and English

Job description

Catering Assistant, 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, term‑time only basis, to help deliver an exceptional dining experience for our students, staff and visitors. As a key 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 across our Accrington & Rossendale College and Nelson & Colne College campuses.

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
• 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

The Nelson and Colne College Group is an Ofsted Outstanding Further Education College with a high performance and ambitious culture. The Group was born in November 2018 with the successful merger between Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College. Prior to that, pan‑Lancashire adult community learning provider, Lancashire Adult Learning, became part of the family in 2016. We are home to 2,400 16‑18 year old A Level and vocational students, 16,500 adult learners, 1,300 Apprentices and 400 Higher Education students. Expertly led by Principal and CEO Lisa O'Loughlin, the College Group delivers year on year improvement, growth and most importantly, highly successful students and Apprentices. The success of our communities, employers, partners and economy is key to all that we do. We have forged valuable partnerships and a shared vision with like‑minded organisations and individuals, creating a network of opportunity and excellence. Our highly skilled staff are committed to raising and supporting aspirations, providing social mobility and an essential talent pool for the local, regional and national economy. Nelson and Colne College Group Scotland Road, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7YT

Benefits:

• Access to a workplace pension scheme – with generous employer contributions
• 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