ESS Energy, specialist provider of foodservice and facilities management to the offshore sector and related industries, is celebrating the graduation of the first cohort from its ‘Next Wave’ programme, designed to develop future chef managers for the sector.
‘Next Wave: Navigating Your Future’ is a 12-month course for talented chefs with the potential to progress and blends practical experiences with leadership development.
Six candidates have spent a year completing on-the-job training, workshops with subject matter experts, e-learning and practical work, culminating in a final project to develop the knowledge, capabilities, behaviours and competencies required to be a successful chef manager. They have received individual support, advice and guidance from a senior mentor throughout.
Successful completion of the course was marked at a special graduation event held at an ESS client site in Aberdeen. Delegates presented their final projects, enjoyed a lunch prepared by ESS chefs and received recognition awards along with a chef jacket, hat, knife and certificates. The event was supported by ESS supply partners.
ESS’ chef managers provide a home-from-home experience for offshore workers who are away for two to three weeks at a time, while living offshore themselves for extended periods. This unique working environment requires technical skills as well as adaptability, resilience and composure under pressure, all of which have been developed throughout the course.
The energy industry has a well-documented aging workforce, and ESS has designed the programme to ensure a strong pipeline of managers coming through. It reinforces the company’s commitment to upskilling its people and investing in their development, as well as providing reassurance to clients around service continuity.
A new cohort has already started their Next Wave journey, and ESS is set to announce an exciting new development to the course later this year.
Carol Norrie, Contracts Manager – Ithaca Energy, commented:
"It has been a real privilege supporting three graduates as they completed their Next Wave programme while working on Ithaca assets, as well as attending the graduation event. I wish all of the graduates the very best as they move into the next chapter of their careers. The Next Wave programme is a fantastic initiative, and a real credit to ESS’ commitment to developing and investing in future talent within our industry."
Jennifer McGroarty, Head of HR – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, commented:
“We’re delighted at the success of Next Wave. Not only have the participants thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the course, but they’ve also made brilliant efforts to get involved in activities outside of their day-to-day roles. I’d like to thank the supply partners who’ve supported us this year, including 3t, Mackintosh of Glendaveny, Lockhart Catering Equipment, Churchill China and Force 10 Marketing – your contributions have enriched the experience for our candidates. We’re excited to have started all over again with the next cohort!”
Ronnie Kelman, Managing Director – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, added:
“This was a brilliant celebration of a year of hard work by our first Next Wave candidates. We’ve continually challenged them to build on their expertise, stretch themselves and develop new skills. They have impressed us time and again, and I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved. Congratulations, all – the future of our sector is in safe hands!”
Next Wave supports Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Our Social Promise which includes its ‘Mission to a Million’, a commitment to positively impact one million lives from within and outside the organisation by 2030.