Staff and users of Cedar's SkillSET programme, along with staff at Creighton's garage in Belfast, have celebrated the success of a new Deli Assistant Academy, which saw Cedar service users gain vital skills, helping them on the road to employment.

Noticing that the Balmoral branch regularly advertise in their shops for Deli staff, Service Manager Roisin Barrett approached Andrew Porter General Manager of Creighton's with an employer engagement plan for Cedar to deliver a Deli Assistant academy to meet the organisational growth. Cedar proposed to work with Creighton's to gain an understanding of its business needs and recruitment challenges.

From there, Cedar SkillSET then facilitated the recruitment of participants for the Academy via advertising on Cedar's social media and Creighton's website.

The Academy itself commenced on 3^rd July 2025, with academic training finishing on the 18^th  September 2025.  Participants met every Thursday, and by August had completed their CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental health, Level 2 Food Safety in Catering) and by mid-September their FSA Allergens certificate.

Pictured: Cedar and Creighton's advertised the Deli Assistant Academy earlier in 2025

Participants also attended a Job Club to enhance their employability skills, with the support of Skills Trainers and Employment Officers.  Activities included: updating of existing CVs to reflect new achievements, support to actively job search in the sector as well as support to complete applications professionally, and tailored interview practice workshops to develop interview skills.  Additional transferable skills were also covered, including:

Communication Skills:  Updating CVs to reflect new achievements

Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with others and work as part of a team

Problem Solving: Identifying issues and establishing effective solutions.

Time Management: Ability to manage time efficiently to meet deadlines.

Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to workplace challenges.  

Since completing the academy participants have benefited from achieving their certifications and developing transferable employability skills.

Now, our work is still ongoing. We are currently in the process of arranging a guided tour of Creighton's for participants, and this will lead on to mock interviews with Creighton's Staff to complete the full programme. As a direct result of participating in the Academy, one participant has achieved paid employment. Cedar continues to support the other participants to achieve their employability goals.

Service users themselves have spoken positively about the initiative. 

Stephen, Deli Academy Participant, said: “I really enjoyed the Deli Academy, the trainer worked at my pace and it was great to achieve the certificates.  I successfully applied for a position at Avenue Cinema – the employer was impressed at me having food qualifications to that standard” 

Alexandra, Deli Academy Participant, said: “gaining these qualifications have really boosted my confidence and given me the belief in myself to apply for jobs in this sector.  I feel excited to have these recognised qualifications on my CV and know that this will help me in future applications.”

Elaine Williams, of Creighton's, said: “the Academy has been a great success for both Creighton's and Cedar – we hope to run another one in 2026”

Virginia Convery, Cedar SkillSET Skills Trainer, added: “the participants have set the bar high with achievement of 90 + out of 100 in online exams – participation in activities was amazing and outcomes exceptional”.

To find out more you can get in touch with your local Cedar SkillSET service on the numbers below or email us at [email protected]