9 July 1997
By Tom Gillespie
Campbell Catering Ltd who employ almost 100 workers in Castlebar and Swinford have been successful in gaining substantial Euro funding, through the European Adapt initiative, which will enable employees to gain professional recognition in the catering sector.
The company are the only Irish catering organisation to have received such a boost to date. Their goal will be to develop training systems and standards which establish a model of best practice for the catering industry in Ireland.
There will be three pilot sites in this country - one in Limerick, another in Cork and the third at the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.
Campbell Catering employ 67 at the 250 bed hospital and also provide meals on a daily basis for a further 200 staff. They have been the catering providers at the hospital since 1992. The company also provide similar facilities at the Baxter plants in Castlebar and Swinford where a further 28 staff are employed.
Campbell Catering set up a team in Castlebar six months ago to achieve this goal. The group were spearheaded by the company Regional manager Keith Judd along with Noel O'Grady, Bernie Brophy, Joan Robinson, Ita Dooney, Jacinta Howley, Loretta McKeowan and Vincent Conlon, all of whom are not trained trainers in the industry.
Already Campbell catering have won numerous awards for quality, hygiene, safety, service and customer care. According to Mr Judd the objectives of the project are to train employees in systematic training techniques which will result in National Vocational qualification standard certificates.
Mr Judd said the training development plan encompasses over 150 modules and covers all areas such as customer care, quality focus, hygiene practices, safety systems and people management.
He added: "This will be a tremendous boost for the company. It will mean a continuation of training and long term will create excellent opportunities for staff in the catering industry."
Mrs Veronica Campbell, wife of Patrick Campbell, group chairman of Campbell/Bewley and original founders of Campbell catering Ltd was in Castlebar last night (Tuesday) to announce details of the project.
She said: "I am delighted at the idea of the pilot site being in Mayo. I know that the county in turn will benefit greatly from this investment."
