Level 2 Traineeship in Professional Chef
Launch your culinary career with hands-on training in food preparation, cooking, and presentation in SERC’s professional kitchens. Gain real industry experience and develop key skills like teamwork, communication, and creativity. This traineeship equips you with the confidence and expertise needed for a rewarding career as a professional chef.
Available Sessions
We have 4 sessions available for application on this course in Lisburn, Newtownards, Downpatrick, Bangor.
Participants will develop practical culinary skills, including food preparation, cooking techniques, presentation, and plating of a range of dishes. The programme also introduces essential kitchen practices, including hygiene, health and safety, and basic supervisory skills to support progression in the professional kitchen environment.
This hands-on traineeship provides practical experience in SERC’s professional kitchens, allowing learners to build confidence and develop the skills needed to prepare starters, main courses, desserts, and other dishes to industry standards for the customers dining in our college kitchen and college restaurants.
A key feature of the course is industry work experience, giving learners the opportunity to explore different roles within professional kitchens and make informed decisions about their future career. This practical exposure supports employability and progression within the hospitality sector.
Ideal for school leavers who have achieved their GCSEs, this traineeship equips learners with the technical skills, knowledge, and confidence required for a rewarding career as a professional chef.
The course also develops essential transferable skills, including:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Creativity
Participants will develop practical culinary skills, including food preparation, cooking techniques, presentation, and plating of a range of dishes. The programme also introduces essential kitchen practices, including hygiene, health and safety, and basic supervisory skills to support progression in the professional kitchen environment.
This hands-on traineeship provides practical experience in SERC’s professional kitchens, allowing learners to build confidence and develop the skills needed to prepare starters, main courses, desserts, and other dishes to industry standards for the customers dining in our college kitchen and college restaurants.
A key feature of the course is industry work experience, giving learners the opportunity to explore different roles within professional kitchens and make informed decisions about their future career. This practical exposure supports employability and progression within the hospitality sector.
Ideal for school leavers who have achieved their GCSEs, this traineeship equips learners with the technical skills, knowledge, and confidence required for a rewarding career as a professional chef.
You will need:
- 4 GCSEs grade D-G, including grade E in Maths and grade E in English or equivalent
Applicants that have not obtained the above grades may be eligible to enrol upon a Traineeship programme dependent upon successful completion of literacy and / or numeracy pre-entry assessments as required. Please contact us for further information.
- Prepare and cook Meat and offal
- Prepare and cook Poultry
- Prepare and cook fish and shellfish
- Prepare and cook food by baking, roasting and grilling
Learners for the FDQ Level 2 Diploma in Professional Chef must complete a portfolio of evidence based on the FDQ’s units of assessment
The FDQ Level 2 Diploma in Professional Chef Qualification (Northern Ireland) is designed to prepare learners for professional chef roles in the workplace.
Many learners are expected to progress into employment in junior chef roles, for example:
- in catering and hospitality businesses such as restaurants, catering service providers, cafes or hotels
- in organisations employing internal catering staff, such as schools and colleges, leisure centres, private companies, or health and social care settings. Although most learners are expected to progress to junior chef roles, the qualification offers opportunities for learners to develop some supervisory skills and knowledge, which may prepare them for a team leader role.
On completion of this qualification, learners may also consider progression to higher level qualifications or an apprenticeship such as
- Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery
- Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision
- Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeship
Available Sessions
We have 4 sessions available for application on this course in Lisburn, Newtownards, Downpatrick, Bangor.
Enquiries Information
For more information or help with this course send us an enquiry and a member of our team will get back in touch.
Available Sessions
| Title | Campus | Start | Spaces | Apply or get more information | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 2 Traineeship in Professional Chef
Y10766BF1A-26/27-FT
|
Bangor
|
31/08/2026
|
16 |
|
||
|
Level 2 Traineeship in Professional Chef
Y10766DF1A-26/27-FT
|
Downpatrick
|
31/08/2026
|
16 |
|
||
|
Level 2 Traineeship in Professional Chef
Y10766LF1A-26/27-FT
|
Lisburn
|
31/08/2026
|
16 |
|
||
|
Level 2 Traineeship in Professional Chef
Y10766NF1A-26/27-FT
|
Newtownards
|
31/08/2026
|
16 |
|
||
Please select a campus from the list above to view the available sessions. |
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Customer Enquiries
Need more information or have a question about this course? Send us a message below and we will get in touch.
Start New EnquiryTerms & Conditions
Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.
We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Further Education
If you have just completed your GCSEs, Further Education is most likely the option for you. FE covers qualifications from entry to higher level qualifications such as Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, NVQ, BTEC and Apprenticeships.
Explore Further Education