Algonquin College Launches Unique Indigenous Cook Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Posted on Tuesday, May 10th, 2016

Indigenous Cook pre-apprenticeship program

A unique one-year program started this week for 20 pre-apprentices from across Canada.

Over the next year, participants will learn the typical skills expected from a cook pre-apprenticeship, such as food theory, knife skills, classical kitchen language, and practical food preparation – the unique part of the program is how these skills are applied. Participants will receive opportunities to prepare traditional Indigenous meals, with opportunities to cook game meat including beaver and moose.

The Indigenous Cook pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare learners with the base of knowledge needed to pursue a Cook apprenticeship or other studies. The program starts with 15 weeks of skills upgrading, followed by 12 weeks of in-school Level 1 apprenticeship training, and finally an eight-week work placement in the Ottawa food services industry.

This pre-apprenticeship offering was developed through a unique partnership led by Wes Wilkinson, Academic Manager for Algonquin College’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. Supporting him to bring it to life with Indigenous content are consultants like Chef Marie-Cecile Nottaway of Wawatay Catering, and instructors like Julie Baily.

“I am pleased to see there is interest in this unique program,” said Wilkinson. “The feedback and response from the Indigenous community – across the country – has been overwhelmingly positive, as a means of reconnecting with their traditions while receiving valuable skills they can bring back to their communities or to the culinary industry. Algonquin College thanks our Indigenous community partners for their support and acknowledges their participation in the development of this program.”

“We are working together with communities to improve outcomes for Indigenous students, and to change the way we relate to and reflect the knowledge systems of first peoples,” said Cheryl Jensen, President. “I want to acknowledge the Provincial Government for recognizing the importance of funding programs such as these. Rethinking both curriculum and program delivery through community engagement is fundamental.”

Joining Algonquin College for today’s launch was Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Sheldon Levy to acknowledge his Ministry’s financial support for this program and the example of partnership with Indigenous communities it represents.

For this first part of the program, the pre-apprentices have theory courses on Mondays and Tuesdays and are in the culinary labs on Thursdays and Fridays. See photos from the launch.


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