Jobs Skills Studio - helping Ukrainian women in gaining culinary skills
Tears of emotion, hugs, peals of laughter - this was the atmosphere of the EIT Food Job Skills Studio project summary. Its main purpose was to equip Ukrainian women with new professional culinary skills in order to enable them to find a job and become independent in Poland.
The workshop ‘’EIT Food Job Skills Studio” focuses on the improvement of practical competencies in the labour market in the agrifood sector for Ukrainians residing in Poland due to the war in Ukraine. The workshop aims to develop practical skills for working in gastronomy on an intensive three months course, enable to find a job and start an independent existence. Moreover, through its numerous activities, participants will be able to practice the Polish language.
The whole project consisted of three courses:
- confectionery,
- baking,
- general cooking.
Recently the last- general culinary course for Ukrainian women has been completed. Thanks to EIT Food's collaboration with Food Bank in Olsztyn another fifteen women are now prepared and ready to take up a career path in gastronomy.
The last path was the most demanding course, 160 hours, preparing for the profession of a cook. It was led by Maciej Maciejewski - a professional chef. Undoubtedly the variety of content was one of the greatest course benefits. The women got to know theoretical issues, including the basics of the law, and the principles of the HACCP system. Besides that, they undertake the practical part where they got to learn various techniques of cutting and preparing soups, stocks and marinades. Participants also learned how to prepare zero-waste and vegetarian dishes, pasta, desserts, fish and many others.
“The tear spins in my eye because by this time we have become closer to each other. We’re so proud of them, they achieved a lot during this period. Hopefully, all of them will find a job so soon."
“That course was extremely helpful, l discovered a lot of tricks for preparing a different kinds of food. Chef Maciej Maciejewski is a very supportive mentor who taught me a lot. I’m on my way to finding a good job.”
“Despite some difficulties with communication in the Polish language, we always did a productive job with Małgorzata Skowrońska. She revealed to us a lot of bakery secrets.“
EIT Food Job Skills Studio is a project taking comprehensive care not only about education process but also that they are able to improve their qualifications in peace. Taking into account the peculiarities of the situation that they found themselves in, the project provides for the care of their children while their mothers acquire new skills.
We are beyond proud of all of the participants and wish the programme has helped them in a smoother start on the Polish job market.