Dear All,

This letter aims to update you on our preparations in response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Updates from the Department for Education, Liverpool Council and Public Health England have been used as a basis for our planning. We recognise that people will understandably be concerned at this time, therefore, we just want to reassure you that DCE is monitoring the situation closely, is in regular contact with relevant authorities and has comprehensive plans in place.

Day to Day Response
We are encouraging all of our staff to follow Public Health guidance and keep high levels of personal hygiene; this includes making sure that we are directing staff to sanitise/wash their hands:

o before leaving home
o on arrival at DCE/site
o after using the toilet
o after breaks
o before eating any food, including snacks
o before leaving DCE/site

DCE Staff have been issued hand sanitiser to use throughout the day and can refill container at any time at the DCE premises.

Our standard cleaning processes at DCE will continue but we are also taking extra precautions within our cleaning arrangements and making sure that frequent contact points such as door handles are cleaned more regularly. We have plans in place to provide an enhanced or deep clean quickly as and when required.

We are supporting our staff to have good hygiene habits and follow the recommended ‘Catch it, kill it, Bin it’ approach.

Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
 new continuous cough and/or
 high temperature

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – and it is important to remember that very few cases have been reported in children so far.

If you or a family member present with these symptoms, the advice of health professionals is to self-isolate for 7 days. Guidance on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

After 7 days, if anyone is still unwell, then seek medical advice using NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access call NHS 111. If symptoms worsen during your self-isolation, seek prompt medical advice.

Communication
We will communicate either face-to-face, on the telephone, or by email. We may also post updates on our Facebook page – please ensure you are following us ‘DCE Engineers’. Notices will be displayed around our premises – usually near the front entrance or on the front door, to ensure you are kept up to date with any changes.

Whilst these measures are in place, DCE Engineers will carry out all works in full PPE/Protective clothing, gloves, shoe covers, face masks etc as per Public Health England Guidelines.

Please rely only on information given directly from us here at DCE.

Planning in Place:
An important part of our preparations is making sure that we have contingency plans for a variety of scenarios, including a temporary closure if instructed to do so by Public Health England. Currently, we have planned for 3 separate scenarios:

1. Instruction from the Government to close for a specified period of time:
There are currently no plans or instructions from the Government for closure. This is a fluid situation at present – therefore we are following reviewed protocol daily as it is updated and shared. Should closure be instructed for any period of time, we will ensure that all service users are informed and given as much notice as is possible in such instance.

2. Instruction to implement social distancing and limit the contact of groups of people:
DCE has already begun to implement this protocol, to minimize contact at DCE/site. We also ask that staff and customers use the hand sanitizer provided.

3. Continuation of service:
We have in place agreements with our bank for continued support, if required, to enable continuation of service through this difficult time. Government assistance indicated over the last couple of days will also assist us to ensure continued support for our customers.

We hope that implementing such plans will not be necessary, but we will always make decisions with the needs, health and welfare of staff and customers first.

Thank you for your continued support and your understanding in this matter.

Yours faithfully,
Brendan Doyle
Director

Sprint Group Are Here To Help With Any Essential Services

Sprint Group will close its office doors but remain open for business to support key sectors like hospitals, schools and colleges nationwide.

The Group are specialists in design, projects and equipment for the foodservice, catering and hospitality industry and supply high performance commercial kitchen, bar, refrigeration and ventilation equipment to the NHS, schools and colleges nationwide, along with well-known eateries which have, of course, recently shutdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Sprint team are now making final plans to work from home and remain running the business as usual to ensure vital services are still available for those in key sectors across the UK.

Director Ross Ryan vows:

“We will do everything possible to keep our services running to ensure that the key sectors fighting to keep our country running have what they need, whilst ensuring that safety comes first and remaining mindful of the impact on our team. We’re working hard and keeping in constant contact with our NHS contacts to ensure they have what they need in these extremely trying times.”

Ross continues: “Our sights are firmly set on the future, with some exciting announcements to make in due course, but the Sprint team are rightly taking the time to concentrate on the matters in hand right now.”

If you need support to keep your food service equipment running please call the team on 01386 555922.

Rational UK: Coronavirus Statement

Rational UK the leading provider in hot food preparation equipment reassures their customers in response to the Covid-19 Government advice.

During these adverse times, the wellbeing of Rational UK’s stakeholders is top priority and the company have taken steps to minimise any risk of exposing stakeholders to the virus, whilst at the same time assuring continuity of delivering maximum customer benefit.

The following actions will take place with immediate effect.

> The suspension of Rational Academies, plus the SelfCookingCenter and VarioCookingCenter Live events

> Office personnel will work from home, however they are still contactable via the usual office number +44 1582 480388

Operators can be rest assured that as far as it is practicable it is business as usual, offering next day delivery and installation on the full range of Rational equipment. The market leading catering equipment manufacturer has UK based stock and production continues at its German headquarters. Operators can find their local accredited DEAL dealer partner on the website: rational-online.com

The national network of accredited Rational Service Partners are working as normal during this current situation. They have conducted their own individual Covid-19 risk assessments and have taken necessary precautions to protect their staff and customers. Customers can contact a local RATIONAL Service Partner directly to arrange service work. Find your local Service Partner on the website: rational-online.com

Customers with questions on preparation methods, settings and cooking paths, are welcome to contact ChefLine: 07743 389863 and speak with a Rational chef who can advise on the cooking systems.

The Rational UK training app combines a vast array of training resources, such as videos showing how to cook specific recipes, videos showing how to carry out various day-to-day maintenance tasks and a searchable database so that operators can find their nearest dealer or service provider. The Rational UK App is free and is available from App store and Google Play – it is just a click away to use, and there is no registration required.

Through this challenging time the health and safety of Rational’s customers, dealer partners and service partners as well as that of their own employees remains of paramount importance. They believe that they have taken appropriate steps to ensure full support to the entire catering industry is maintained with the high standards that customers have come to expect.

For further information call +44 1582 480388, or visit rational-online.com

ceda Conference Postponed

Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, ceda has taken the decision to postpone the organisation’s 2020 Conference, which was originally due to take place on April 23rd and 24th at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.

This includes the Annual General Meeting, Academy Meeting, Gala Dinner and Awards Night, as well as all other activities scheduled to take place over the two days. 

A new date for the event will be announced in due course. 

Those who have booked and paid to attend the event can be reimbursed; credit notes can be issued for all invoices raised but not yet paid. Alternatively, bookings can remain if individuals wish to attend the future event.     

Adam Mason, ceda Director General, said “Whilst not taken lightly, the decision to postpone the Conference was an easy one to make. The health and wellbeing of our people is our sole priority. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the Conference for their understanding.”

Industry’s New Apprenticeship Standard Welcomes Its First Cohort

The first ever Catering Equipment Service and Installation Apprenticeship, created by ceda Members, has welcomed its first cohort of apprentices.     

On this most momentous of occasions, fifteen pioneering members of the industry, from: Aggora, APS Catering, Hatherleys, Gratte Brothers, C&C Catering Engineers, Archer Catering Systems, UpNorth Group, NWCE and HB Catering & Refrigeration arrived in Stockport, eager to begin their induction sessions and training.   

Apprentice Chris Williams, of HB Catering & Refrigeration, said “I’ve been at the company for two years. When I heard that the ceda apprenticeship was beginning, I decided it was time for me to step into a frontline role and jumped at the opportunity. The course will provide me with all of the qualifications I’ll need for a fulfilling and successful career.”

Discussing what he thought the apprenticeship would bring to the wider industry, he said, “Quite a few of my colleagues are starting to retire, so there’s a clear need to bring new talent in. The apprenticeship will ensure that the younger generation who replace them are well equipped to work in a challenging area and provide the highest levels of service to their customers.”

Damion Russell, who has been with Gratte Brothers for four years, added “I’m really looking forward to completing the apprenticeship programme. The qualifications I’ll gain will provide me with the expert knowledge I need to carry out my job safely and to uphold the highest industry standards for my company. They’ll also give me confidence and independence, so I can carry out jobs on my own.” 

The funded apprenticeship programme is being provided by registered provider, ECTA. Whilst the organisation has provided both domestic and commercial gas and electric qualifications in collaboration with the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) for a number of years, this is the first time they have worked with ceda. 

ceda Members and Partners have actually assisted with the fitting-out of the kitchen at ECTA in which apprentices will receive their training. 

ceda would therefore like to extend their sincerest thanks to Falcon Foodservice Equipment for their donation of a six burner range and a gas fryer, Inox Fabrication for an extraction canopy system, Rational for a combination oven, NWCE for a salamander grill and chargrill, and S&S Northern and Archer Catering Systems (ACS) for an interlock system.  

ACS also installed the kitchen. Director Nick Archer, who was instrumental in facilitating the collaboration of the various companies, which in any other circumstance would be fierce competitors, commented “It is important for our industry to have its own dedicated apprenticeship scheme that can bring together engineers from different companies, to achieve training and qualifications that are actually relevant to what we do within our industry. The fact that so many companies have come together to provide time and knowledge on the initial trailblazing group and providing equipment into the new kitchen at ECTA is testament to what we can achieve when we all come together. I would like to reserve my personal thanks for Adam and Peter from ceda for providing the platform to make this happen and Kirstin for her work with the initial trailblazing group and subsequent meetings.”

Adam Mason, ceda Director General, who has been equally impressed by the way the various companies have come together for the benefit of the industry, enthused, “From start to finish this entire apprenticeship project has been about Members and Partners working together for the benefit and future of our industry. We are delighted to have facilitated and driven the development of the standard and equally delighted to now present it to the industry. ”

The apprentices will now spend thirty months receiving the highest quality training and education on a block release basis, meaning they only need to attend the training centre for one week every eight weeks. 

They will cover knowledge and skills including ACS accreditations, Basic Plumbing, Electrical Competence, Health and Safety issues, Relevant Regulations and fault finding procedures, as well as customer care and communication. 

ceda are now encouraging other companies who wish to become involved to contact Peter Kay, ceda Technical Support Adviser, at peterkay@ceda.co.uk. They do not have to be ceda Members to take part. 

Currently the standard is only available in England, however funding is still available for companies in the devolved nations if their apprentice works at least 50% of their time in England.   

And the final word goes to Peter, whose hard work and determination was imperative to the delivery of this groundbreaking apprenticeship; “Today is a very important day for ceda as it sees the culmination of 15 years of work to establish an apprenticeship.  When I joined ceda 15 years ago, members told me that one of my main priorities was to organise an apprenticeship as there was a shortage of good quality service engineers. At that time, apprenticeships had to result in a formal qualification and even though Gas ACS accreditations are a legal requirement, they are not recognised as a formal qualification and therefore the apprenticeship would have to include an electrical qualification.  We looked at all the available electrical qualifications but none was suitable for a service engineer. We even investigated establishing our own qualification, however, the cost was prohibitive so it was not until 2015, when the Government introduced Apprenticeship Standards, that we were able to create a Trailblazer Group of ceda members who worked with an advisor from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to develop the standard which was approved last summer. ECTA have been extremely helpful in working with us to deliver the apprenticeship for the allocated funding and seeing these young people here today is the fulfilment of that task that we started 15 years ago.”