Altura Learning will provide training to Maggie Beer Foundation’s new initiative

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be working with Maggie Beer Foundation (MBF) & William Angliss Institute to create online training dedicated to aged care cooks and chefs across Australia. Thanks to a $500,000 grant announced by Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt, this training is the first of its kind in Australia and will be of interest around the world.

“Chefs and cooks are at the frontline in aged care and there is so much we can do to help them bring life-altering change to so many older Australians. I am thrilled and delighted that the Federal Government has chosen to support our training programs,” Maggie Beer said.

“This wonderful support will enable us to help cooks and chefs right across Australia to provide enjoyable, appetising and nutritious food to older people. The MBF has been running face-to-face training courses since its inception in 2014. When the learning is taken back into aged care homes, we have seen dramatic changes in the engagement of staff and the wellbeing of the residents. The creation of an online program will enable all chefs and cooks across Australia to gain access to the training.”

Year One of the program consists of 11 training modules (including ‘High Energy and Protein’, ‘Texture Modification’ and ‘The Dining Environment’) which are being created in cooperation with William Angliss Institute and Altura Learning.

“These two partners are highly credentialed and the leaders in their fields. Together we will create high quality, practical training which will make an immediate difference to the lives of older Australians,” Ms Beer said.

“It’s a privilege for Altura Learning to be working with the Maggie Beer Foundation to develop these online skills-based training programs and engaging learning experiences for the cooks and chefs who are at the front line. Like the MBF, Altura Learning believe that through this training, there will be a significant improvement in the current structure of training courses for chefs who wish to work in the residential aged care and home care sector,” Yvie Webley, CEO Altura Learning said.

“We are proud to be partnering with the MBF on a training initiative that has proven positive impacts on the wellbeing of aged care residents. William Angliss Institute has worked closely with industry to identify skill sets needed to support staff and improve not only their knowledge of various illnesses, such as dementia, but also specific nutritional requirements of the aged. The training has been designed for accessibility by industry with delivery to be available both online or in the workplace,” William Angliss Institute CEO Nicholas Hunt said.

For more information, you can watch the video story from 9 news.

Media contacts:

• Maggie Beer Foundation: Lynn James, CEO: 0433 615 002; ljames@maggiebeerfoundation.org.au
• William Angliss Institute: Lisa Messner, PR & Communications Coordinator: 0466 533 173; lisa.messner@angliss.edu.au