An independent hotel group has formed a partnership with the North Suffolk Skills Academy (NSSA) in a bid to drive more young people into a career in the hospitality sector.

TA Hotel Collection, owners of hotels The White Lion and The Brudenell in Aldeburgh as well as The Crown at Woodbridge, The Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club and The Swan in Lavenham, has been appointed to deliver the training for the NSSA’s prestigious Chef’s Academy.

The hotel group, founded in 1996, will be passing on expertise and industry knowledge to students at NSSA’s Chef’s Academy.

Delivering the course will be experienced chef patron Stephen David from The Crown at Woodbridge along with his head chef Luke Bailey. Along with their external catering arm Bespoke, the partnership will deliver the Level 1 Certificate in Hospitality & Catering plus the Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery.

The Level 1 qualification is aimed at pre-16 year olds and the Level 2 targeted at 16-19 year olds. Both would suit students interested in pursuing a career as a chef.

The TA Hotel Collection had previously set up its own internal Chef’s Academy which gave people the chance to work in the kitchens across the group.

The proactive approach caught the attention of the NSSA which was looking for a local provider to fulfil the practical elements of the courses.

Grahame Tinnion, managing director at the TA Hotel Collection said: “As a group, one of our primary objectives is to invest time and opportunity into young people locally. I am delighted that TA Hotel Collection has been given this wonderful chance to partner with the academy and in return to provide these talented young people with the fortune of working with our industry leaders, many of whom have cut their teeth in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens. Hospitality is a fantastic industry, providing individuals with job fulfilment and the opportunities for personal and professional development are second to none.”

Mark Attenburrow, CEO of the NSSA said: “We’re keen to align ourselves with the best providers in the area and aim to provide training with a very clear link to industry. Students in this programme will experience a fulfilling learning journey where they not only learn practical skills but have the chance to work with those at the forefront of commercial activity today.”

The training courses will also be run in conjunction with national training provider Babcock, which will facilitate the theory element of the qualifications.

Paula Claridge, Vocational Learning Manager for Babcock Training, said combination of the TA Hotel Collection’s experience with the NSSA’s superior learning environment would give students “unrivalled opportunities” in the catering and hospitality sectors.

“We’re looking forward to working with the team to deliver the training,” she said.

The next intake of students will start in September 2013 and places are already full. However, students interested in enrolling on future courses should contact NSSA on 01986 834160 or visit http://www.nssa.co/courses/chefs-academy/ for more information.