Member Article

Liverpool chef cooking up employment opportunities for Liverpool youngsters

A new restaurant in Liverpool is looking for six young apprentices to become part of what is designed to be a ‘world-class’ venture.

Chef Paul Askew – who already runs the London Carriageworks restaurant in the city – is to open the Art School Restaurant in the Hope Street Quarter later this year.

He is looking for young people aged 16 and 17 years old who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Three commis chef and three waiting staff positions are being offered, funded by the Mayoral Youth Contract Apprenticeship Business Grant Initiative.

No training or experience is necessary and the successful applicants will be paid at the national minimum wage for apprenticeships, which is currently £3.72 an hour.

Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for employment and skills, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get their foot on the employment ladder working at a top quality restaurant and I am delighted we are working with Paul Askew on this project.

“So many of our teenagers have fantastic raw potential and this initiative is designed to make sure we don’t end up with a lost generation that aren’t given the opportunity to show what they can do.”

Paul Askew said: “I am looking for raw talent that are enthusiastic, eager to learn with an excellent attitude to be part of my new restaurant team and play a key role in its success.”

Over the last 12 months, more than 100 young people have been taken on by dozens of employers as part of the Mayoral Youth Contract, giving them a chance to get on the first rung of the employment ladder.

The roles have ranged from horticulture, hairdressing and childcare through to catering, construction and sport with companies from the private, public and non-profit sectors.

It forms part of the City Deal negotiated with Government, and Liverpool is one of only three places able to allocate its own pot of money to the scheme through the Youth Contract.

The cost of being NEET from 16-18 years is estimated to cost the public purse around £56,000.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .