Casual Kitchen Technician - New Directions College
Are you looking for flexible, hands-on work in a professional kitchen environment? New Directions College – Reading Borough Council’s adult and community learning service – is looking for enthusiastic and reliable Casual Kitchen Technicians to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity to support adult learners in a friendly, well-equipped training kitchen, helping them develop essential skills for work and life.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the Role:
New Directions College is based at 330 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 8DH. The role is casual and will require you on and as and when needed basis.
You’ll be responsible for setting up the training kitchen before classes, preparing food ingredients, organising equipment, and ensuring everything is ready for learners and teaching staff. After sessions, you’ll clean and reset the space, maintaining a safe and hygienic environment.
You’ll help manage kitchen stock, monitor food waste, and keep accurate records to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. You’ll also support with the safe storage of ingredients and ensure equipment is maintained and serviced when required.
Above all, you’ll play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality learning by creating a clean, safe and welcoming kitchen environment where learners can thrive.
What we’re looking for:
- A current Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
- Knowledge of COSHH and Health & Safety practices (training available)
- Experience maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment
- Flexible, proactive attitude and the ability to work independently
- A commitment to providing excellent support to staff and learners
Whether you're experienced in a kitchen support role or looking to build your experience in a flexible role, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Laura Jordan – Employment and Skills Curriculum Manager - laura.jordan@reading.gov.uk
Interview Date: Sunday 29th June 2025
Interview Date: TBC
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.