This programme will give you the knowledge and skills you need to provide service in cafés and restaurants. You’ll learn about food preparation and service, gain barista skills and gain skills in kitchen health and safety and customer service.

Our food and beverage qualifications can start you on your career pathway within the hospitality industry, giving you experience in kitchen and front of house operations.

You will complete the following courses to achieve the qualification with additional strands in Café Services and Barista.

Workload & schedule

This programme involves 24 hours of teaching spread over four days, in addition to 12 hours of self-directed study per week. You will also participate in various culinary events, so will be required to attend two evening events (dates will be advised at or shortly after programme commencement).

Te Tupu Tahi - Workplace-based training available

Already working in a café or restaurant? Keen to learn while you earn? We work alongside Restaurant Association to offer a unique learning plan based on your current work experience. You must be employed a minimum of 15 hours per week and be available to attend some classes and assessments at NorthTec.

Te Tupu Tahi has been developed by the Restaurant Association and NorthTec after recognising a need to grow and develop the hospitality industry in Te Tai Tokerau. Te Tupu Tahi represents ‘to grow together or simultaneously’ growing the akōnga/employee as well as the business by upskilling the employee to gain a sense of accomplishment, increase industry knowledge, gain a NZQA qualification and therefore be a more valuable asset to the business itself.

The programme name ‘Te Tupu Tahi’, represents ‘to grow together or simultaneously’ which is what this traineeship aims to do: grow the akōnga/employee as well as the business and therefore the hospitality industry. 

The trainees will be referred to as māhuri, based upon a Māori proverb: Ko te tupu o te māhuri tera te tupu o te rakau. The bend in a young sapling is indicative of how the tree will grow.

During the programme the trainees/māhuri will:

• Attend on-campus sessions and assessments.
• Be supported in their workplace by the Restaurant Association Te Tupu Tahi coordinator and by NorthTec kaiako. 
• Engage in online self-directed learning for most of the theory work in the programme. 

In collaboration with both the employer and employee, a full schedule will be given to the student in consultation with the employer at the beginning of the programme advising when the māhuri will attend classes.

The training programme comprises workplace-based training along with online learning and gives hospitality workers an opportunity to earn qualifications while in work.

Please contact Stuart McGechan for more information, or apply below.

Stuart McGechan, Te Tupu Tahi Traineeship Coordinator

The Te Tupu Tahi coordinator works to ensure the smooth training, mentoring and supporting of Māhuri and employers – maintaining strong communicative relationships with both, with a strong local connection to the Te Tai Tokerau community and industry. Stuart brings a wealth of experience and passion for leadership and development within the Hospitality Industry.

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