We are proud to introduce The ceda Electrical Standard; a fully accredited, industry-developed, electrical training programme that has been two years in the making.

It’s been built from the ground up by people in this industry, for people in this industry.

Why We Created This Standard

Following the tragic death of commercial catering engineer, Craig Stocker, and subsequent court case, we developed the ceda Code of Practice for Electrical Work in Commercial Foodservice Facilities. The Code has created a benchmark for safety and has been adopted by Members, Partners, Facilities Managers and operators.

But more was needed. A document, however widely adopted, was not a sufficient response.

Engineers and service companies within our community shared these concerns. So, we made a decision. Rather than continuing to point at the gap and wait for someone else to fill it, we would fill it ourselves.

We formed an Electrical Working Group, within the ceda Technical Support Group. Made up of specialists who know this sector, who know equipment, who know commercial kitchens and who understand the ramifications when electrical knowledge and understanding is not where it needs to be.

We set ourselves the task of building something. We had to be proactive – because this industry had to take responsibility for itself.

So, this training programme is the industry choosing to raise its own bar – not because of legislation or because of pressure from outside bodies, but because it is the right thing to do.

It is not a generic, off-the-shelf course. It has been researched, developed, drafted, challenged, refined and accredited by industry and external electrical specialists.

About The Standard

There are two routes to achieving certification.

If the candidate has no recognised, electrical competency pre-requisite, then the Standard is a 4-day programme.

If the candidate has recognised electrical competency in the last 3 years, then a 2-day ‘upskill’ route is available to achieve the Standard.

Both programmes are built on 7 units:

• Safety & Legislation
• Electrical Principles
• Supplies & Connections
• Components & Circuits
• Inspection & Testing
• Fault Finding
• Maintenance

The assessment combines theory and scenario-based, practical assessments, these will be on purpose-built rigs to ensure that the candidate can apply understanding, when it counts.

Every unit was written with commercial catering at its core. We are training commercial catering technicians and engineers to work safely in real kitchens, under real conditions.

The certification is jointly badged by ceda and LCL Awards, who are the awarding body. The certification is valid for 5 years, at which time a 2-day refresher course will need to be undertaken in order to achieve renewal. We are taking electrical safety as seriously as gas.

The course content will be independently reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it remains the Industry Gold Standard.

Who is it for?

The ceda Electrical Standard is relevant for all engineers and technicians within the commercial catering sector, regardless of their age and experience.

It is relevant for trainees and apprentices, so that electrical safety and competence is embedded from day one rather than bolted on later.

It is relevant for Service Managers and Technical Leads who oversee engineering teams.

Accreditation & Delivery

ceda is now an LCL Awards Approved Training Centre and the ceda Electrical Standard is built, complete and has been approved and accredited, by LCL Awards.

In order to maximise accessibility, we will deliver the course regionally across the UK.

Our new Head of Training (details to follow) will both deliver this course, and develop further ceda training courses and programmes.

We are making a long-term commitment. This isn’t a one-off course that will be here today and gone tomorrow. This is the start of a Technical Training division of ceda that will create and deliver best-practice, industry-relevant, accessible and cost-effective training, in order to drive safety, competence and performance standards.

We are grateful to the ceda Technical Support Group and the ceda Electrical Working Group in creating this Electrical Standard. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, expertise and knowledge for the betterment of our industry.

What we have created is rigorous because it needs to be. We want our engineers to go to work in commercial kitchens across this country, being safer, more confident and higher-performing as a direct result of having completed this programme.

We are proud of everybody who has contributed to it and for having the ambition and the commitment to see it through.

The standard exists. The resources are ready. We now need the industry to back it.

Contact Justin Ring justin@ceda.co.uk if you have any questions or to register your interest.