Culinary and hospitality education funding falls 40% in three years

Funding for full-time culinary and hospitality education in the UK has seen an "unacceptable" 40% fall in three years, according to the Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE).

Colleges and universities across the country are being forced to re-think and re-define the education and training they are able to offer students as a result of the dramatic decline.

Geoff Booth, chief executive of PACE, said: "Cutting culinary and hospitality funding by 40% is simply unworkable and incredibly short sighted. Putting it simply, a 40% cut in funding is the equivalent of turning full-time hospitality courses into a part-time training programme.

"How can we expect students to graduate with a well-rounded set of skills and experience and meet the expectations of a demanding industry? It will have a long-term effect on the development of successful careers in hospitality and does not reflect the needs of our expanding hospitality industry.

"We know that we already see a number of potentially excellent yet disillusioned candidates leaving the industry every year. We must invest in training to ensure the future growth and success of UK hospitality and those involved in building the sector."

Booth said it will unite catering and hospitality professionals and give them the tools and knowledge to “best deal with this unacceptable situation and continue to deliver excellence in their field”.

Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the event, which will have a new format of workshops, masterclasses, and topical addresses.

More details can be found at www.mcculloughmoore.co.uk/pace

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PACEÂ conference 2012 to focus on training >>

Â](www.caterersearch.com/Articles/17/11/2011/341093/PACE-conference-2012-to-focus-on-training.htm)**By Janie Manzoori-Stamford

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