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This course was developed by New Horizons Partnership as a direct response to an identified need. It targets adults with severe to moderate learning disabilities from 16 years of age and intends to provide a clearly identifiable career path in catering. The focus of this programme is to give this client group the required learning and employment support and appropriate training in their chosen career.

Participants have the opportunity to achieve accredited qualifications in catering, including VAC and NVQ. Courses cover the foundation elements of the NVQ programme through the Vocational Access route and offer intense support to meet individual training and employment needs.

The qualifications on offer include the following:

• Vocational Access Course in Catering
  (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board)
• NVQ Level 1 in Catering (City & Guilds)
• Certificate in Basic Food Hygiene
  (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board)
• Independent Travel Certificate (Open College Network)
• Employment Skills (Open College Network)
• Profile of Achievement (City and Guilds)

The first phase of the project was implemented through partnership and funding with the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education. Phase two ran from January 2001 to December 2003. The next phase is now running.

Training is delivered in both a classroom (theory) and a real work setting (practical).

A specific number of classroom hours' training takes place each week in the Strabane campus of the North West Institute for Further and Higher Education (NWIFHE).

	Classroom training is complemented with practical sessions run in the NWIFHE's kitchen in the nearby bistro training facility, "The Old Schoolhouse", which is located at the gate of the NWIFHE (on the Derry Road in Strabane). This facility has been designed to develop the clients' work skills. It allows them to get practical training under the instruction of a qualified NVQ teacher, in a intense support environment.

This working café serves customers from the NWIFHE and the local catchment areas and is one of New Horizons Partnership's most successful social enterprises.

The Old Schoolhouse is managed by Adrian, who is supported in delivering practical training by Anne and Frances (not yet pictured).

Adrian Devine

Anne Kerrigan

Frances Browne