Catering Assistant

Education Partnership North East; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking on most campuses

Generous holiday allowance 35-48 days

Pensions - LGPS or Teacher depending

Wellbeing support and discounts

Health and dental care options

Job summary

Education Partnership North East is seeking casual Catering Assistants to support catering operations across Sunderland campuses. The roles are ad-hoc and often at short notice, ideal for students seeking flexible, paid work around timetables.

Responsibilities include serving food and beverages, assisting with prep, handling an EPOS till, and maintaining high cleanliness and safety standards in line with regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience using an EPOS till is advantageous.
• Level 1 Food Safety qualification, or willingness to undertake training.
• Basic allergen and food hygiene awareness, or willingness to undertake training.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and serving a range of hot and cold food and beverages to staff and students.
• Assisting with food preparation, deliveries and safe storage.
• Supporting internal hospitality and buffet services.
• Operating an EPOS till and handling cash and electronic payments.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, including clearing tables, washing dishes and general cleaning.
• Following all health, safety and food hygiene regulations.

Skills

EPOS till experience

Education

Level 1 Food Safety qualification

Job description

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026

Reference: 0781-26

About the College

Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.

The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.

Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

Education Partnership North East 34 subscribers

Are you a current student at Education Partnership North East, studying at Northumberland College, Sunderland College or Hartlepool Sixth Form?
Do you have free days or availability during the week (Monday–Friday, between the hours of 9.00am and 4.00pm) and are looking for flexible, paid work alongside your studies?

We are building a casual bank of student Catering Assistants to provide cover during periods of staff sickness, holiday or increased demand across our college campuses. This role is ideal for students who want flexible, as-needed work that fits around their timetable.

About the Role

Casual Catering Assistants are engaged on an ad-hoc basis, often at short notice, to support catering operations at their local campus.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and serving a range of hot and cold food and beverages to staff and students
• Assisting with food preparation, deliveries and safe storage
• Supporting internal hospitality and buffet services
• Operating an EPOS till and handling cash and electronic payments
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, including clearing tables, washing dishes and general cleaning
• Following all health, safety and food hygiene regulations

About you

• Experience using an EPOS till is advantageous
• Level 1 Food Safety qualification, or willingness to undertake training
• Basic allergen and food hygiene awareness, or willingness to undertake training

What’s in it for you?

Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.

We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.

As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

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