FRESH OLIVES
Our Award-Winning Apprentice Programme
Creating our Talent Pipeline
One of Entier’s key strategic objectives is to continue to provide our people with the highest standard of training and development opportunities in our sector in order to maintain our exemplary retention rates.
As part of this strategy, we are very proud to have created a credible talent pipeline for tomorrow through our ‘Fresh Olive’ Apprenticeship Programme, an exciting and realistic first-class experience into the catering industry and our business - all earning while learning.
Our Fresh Olive Training Programme
In the catering industry, we are very aware of an ever-increasing ‘skills gap’. To tackle this, we have developed a unique Fresh Olive Training Programme which will provide our Fresh Olives with a first-class and exciting experience. Through this programme, they will gain real insight into the catering industry and various parts of our business.
The key objective of our Fresh Olive Training Programme is to develop both our culinary and office support Fresh Olives, helping them become confident, competent and professional individuals who will become our managers of tomorrow.
We believe it is important to educate all of our apprentices on the importance of understanding how our business and supply chain works. This is why we host experiential activities and trips for all of our Fresh Olives.
Key Areas of Learning within the 3-year Fresh Olive Programme
YEAR 1 - The 'Front Line'
From day one, our Olives are fully immersed in Entier's operations. Culinary Olives gain hands-on kitchen experience at our sites, learning from award-winning chefs, with opportunities to get experience days at high-end restaurants or hotels. Business Olives integrate into key support functions, learning from experienced professionals. Whether in the kitchen or business operations, they start contributing immediately, building essential skills for their future careers.Year 2 - A Different Perspective
In Year 2, we rotate some of our Culinary Olives to different sites and locations, such as moving from Perthshire to Aberdeen, to experience diverse aspects of our business. Business Olives will work across various departments, gaining broader insights and supporting different areas of the company. This rotation helps build a well-rounded understanding of our operations.Year 3 - The Next Step
In the final year, Culinary Olives gain a thorough understanding of kitchen management, including safety, stock control, budgeting, and the commercial aspects of kitchen operations. Business Olives develop their department related knowledge by undertaking qualifications relevant to their career path, allowing them to gain specialised skills and develop leadership abilities. These opportunities allow the Olives to be exposed to further training and managerial responsibilities as a way for them to decide on the next step in their career with Entier.
Fresh Olive Activity Programme
In addition to the planned activities within the 3-year programme for our chefs, all of our Fresh Olives will also participate in several experiential activities, as well as being allocated group tasks and social events including the following:
Supplier Days: Twice a year, all Fresh Olives will visit our suppliers to gain an understanding of the processes involved. This year, we have visited Peterhead fish market and McWilliams Butcher's abattoir. These visits will vary each year.
Foraging Days: Foraging days in Comrie woods to source local wild produce.
Business Project: 2 groups of Fresh Olives to work on a business project with the aim of raising money for our nominated charity.
Chef Demo: Every quarter we hold a chef demonstration day in our bespoke training academy where our Fresh Olives will observe renowned chefs such as Nick Nairn, or our own award winning chefs from across our business who have worked at Michelin star restaurants throughout the world.
