Cooking with gas

A gas training centre in Colne has come up with a much needed recipe to help keep businesses in the catering industry operating efficiently, with limited downtime for their equipment.

Darren French and Neville Roscoe, directors of M65 Gas, became aware of an increasing lack of gas engineers who specialise in servicing commercial catering equipment, so they invested in a purpose-built catering training facility at their Norfolk Street training centre to help meet the demand.

“Commercial catering is a highly specialised gas and electrical area, which requires an engineer with an in-depth knowledge,” said Darren French.

“Whether it’s a restaurant, care home, hospital or other venue which uses commercial catering equipment, there are huge financial implications to them if their appliances stop working. That’s why these specialist engineers are in big demand – but there aren’t currently enough of them in the UK.”

The commercial catering workshop at M65’s training centre is designed for anyone looking to enter the gas catering field and features a wide range of industry standard equipment. Delegates combine their hands-on training at M65 with work placements, where they gather evidence needed for their portfolio.

With over 35 years’ experience in gas training and assessments, the team at M65 are able to help delegates find relevant work placements, which often leads to job opportunities once they have completed their qualification.

“Commercial catering equipment must be serviced at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure it is in a safe condition,” added Darren French. “From pipe work to flues and extractor systems and interlock systems, there is a lot for specialist commercial catering engineers to learn about and gain experience of if they are to be adept at keeping kitchens operating efficiently and safely. “We have vast experience of working in this industry ourselves and have excellent contacts, so combined with our new dedicated training facility, we are well placed to help make up the shortfall in qualified specialists and help them secure employment.”