Giving Teenagers a Helping Hand into Work.

CakesVille.nl

Patisserie & Sugarcraft Academy.

The Aim of the Project -

is to build a modern family run academy teaching young people (Apprentices) at the highest level over a 3 year period the many different arts of our industry. Included in our program, Patisserie, (Baking, Cake designing, Chocolate, Pastries) Sugarcraft and even how to run their own business. I will build a professional team of employed full time professional teachers led by my wife Helen Scott (Master Patisserie Craftswomen). My son Joey will start immediately in the Bakery and my daughter Abbie will be joining the Office and Sales team when her Catering course at school is completed. Guest artists that have an individual specialty will be invited from other countries.Each of the visiting guest artists whom are known to my wife Helen, are highly respected internationally and throughout the industry. Together with my team we will teach all students how to use the latest techniques and materials from around the world.Using our unique and comprehensive curriculum plus years of experience, we as a team will make sure everything a student will ever need to know within our industry is made available.

Included and forming the complete academy will be

A High Class Patisserie and Bakery

Outlet/Shop for what Students produce

(Low prices just to sponsor 1^st year students)

English Tea and Coffee Room

Sugarcraft & Baking retail Shop

An English Tea Garden

Workshops & Courses for Business and Public

**************** & ***************

At this moment I can not disclose all 8 sections that will form the complete business. This is because 2 of them are completely new ideas that have never been seen before in our catchment area.

I can disclose that both of them have been specially designed with our apprentices in mind. These will add to their abilities and complete an important part of the student’s training and education, which companies do not normally teach.

Together with my team we will also make sure the opportunity will be given for a student to invent new designs, tastes, and flavours. Time will also be made available for students to take part in competitions and exhibitions.

The student that has the courage to give 100% and not be afraid to make mistakes is what makes he/she stand apart from others.

Background information.

In February 2014, I purchased a beautiful large property which included a house, business premises and large terraced garden. The property was bought at a sensible price because of the major renovations required and suited perfectly my long term business plan.

A large amount of the renovations have been completed to the house, terrace and commercial side, allowing us to move in.

Unfortunately the dreams of my family and myself were shattered due to me having a serious accident which in turn led to major heart operations.

As you can understand due to a work accident all work came to an abrupt halt, and could not be completed within the projected time scale.

After a 9 month recovery period since open heart surgery, I am now in good health and able to continue with the project as planned. But, because of unforeseen circumstances I am now not able to do all of the heavy manual work as before, I now find myself in the embarrassing position of having to ask for help with the higher funding required to complete. These extra funds that were not included in my original budget will cover the costs of employing other professionals to complete some of the work planned for myself.

(From left to right) 1. Shop. 2&3. Tea/function room. 4&5. Training/school room. 6. Bakery. 7. Cool room and stores. 8. Front of property. 9. Terraced garden. Many more pictures are available on request and will be posted as updates during Crowdfunding campaign.

The Building Project

Although the main house, tea room, shop and terrace area are almost complete. With funding and investment our goals can be achieved in a relatively short period of time. Approximately 4 months when funded. The project will continue anyway and as funds become available, I will contract the professional tradesmen required to help with the completion.

I must due to regulations use the professionals for gas, electric and water to comply with Safety and Insurance requirements

I have set a provisional date of January 2016, for the opening of the Academy and also for the first intake of students.

With your help, the funds raised will go towards the following:-

(Electrician) To install 400v & 220v supply for domestic and commercial machinery into 4 work rooms, which will include 12 work stations in the training's room.

(Pluming and heating engineer) To extend the supply of gas and water into 4 work rooms. Supply 2 x Commercial dish washers and 6 wash basins to be fitted in various rooms. Extend heating pipes and relocate some radiators. Supply water and heating to new ladies & disabled toilets. New central heating boiler has been installed December 2014.

(Carpenter) To supply and replace 3 front doors and 5 internal doors. Repairs to small sections of original hardwood window sills. These frames must be preserved as they are very old, and surround the original leaded stained glass windows.

(Painter & Decorator) To prepare and paint the front of the property, doors and window frames. The original single glass windows have been replaced with double glazing, using the original hard wood frames throughout the complete property.

(Flex Stone floor fitter) A resin bound stone flexible flooring system, specially designed for commercial use in kitchens, showrooms and heavy traffic areas. Bacteria free, easy clean non slip flooring.

(Refrigeration engineer) To install a walk-in freezer and a walk-in fridge to the cool/store room. Install cooling display units to shop area.

(Ceramic wall and floor tiling) approx 300 sqm throughout the work rooms, will be done by myself.

(Dry lining & new Ceilings) The building of new internal walls for staff room, ladies toilets, office and showroom, also by myself and son.

Purchase and fit stainless steel furniture and machinery required in all work rooms making them fully operational. Rack out new stock room with both steel and stainless steel shelving. Install shop serving counters, display cabinets, coffee machines etc.Purchase and install new cooling display counter. Arrange furniture, tables and chairs into the shop and function room areas, already purchased. Buy one new large baking oven, 2 medium sized ovens already purchased for use in the class room.

Purchase of a delivery van with trailer to cover outside functions and events. These items will be important to our business as we are fortunate to be situated directly on the borders of Germany, Belgium and Holland.

Further information and a progress report will be disclosed in our by-monthly news letter, sent to all donators and investors by email.

My reasons behind this project

I found the job situation facing our children and all young school leavers frightening. The situation has been made possible in my opinion by an outdated employment system. At the moment it is possible in the Netherlands for a 16+ year old teenager to be given up to 3 years unpaid work experience in a registered company. This can be done without any kind of firm commitment or contract of employment from an employer. And just by this rule alone I believe the system is on a crash course with disaster. It is my personal opinion that in many cases, young people, our future tax payers, are used, untrained, and replaced at will with free young labour. Not illegal just the businesses’ playing the system as was officially reported to me. I believe the truth is: lack of foresight, ridiculous profit targets and greed being the underlying reasons.

I have recently had meetings with directors and teachers from local schools as well as with a new local government backed agency about my concerns and ideas. Not surprisingly full support was given by all, and the promise of help with my new concept of employment was offered.

The problem facing teenagers has been recognised at the highest level and was the reason behind the government agency being created. All concerned are desperately trying to ease the problem of unemployment of the under 25’s. After further research I found that this problem is not only isolated to our Province of Limburg in Netherlands, but also reported in many other countries. An alarming fact was released to me that in our Province alone over 60% of under 25’s were unemployed at present.

Then asking myself a question – Should I be worried?

Answer – Yes and so should every parent and employer.

We are not only talking here about one small to middle size new company trying to do what’s right; we should be looking at the bigger picture and also be thinking about future generations that needs our help right now!

A class of teenagers studying Restaurant and Bakery at a local school in Heerlen. Nl.

If we are to believe the figures, from the 14 students pictured only 6 will be offered training and full time work.

My daughter is in this picture and I am not happy to play a numbers game with her future.

(Permission given for picture)

Selecting Apprentices

The normal system will not be used, as we will interview candidates together with a school or agency representative for firstly a one month trial period. We will not be necessarily looking for the student or young person that came top of the class or has high qualifications from any school or land. Everyone that comes to us will be there because they want to be given a chance, and will start on a level playing field. The only qualification they must have is that they are over 16 and speak, write and understand Dutch, German or English.

We can teach anyone to bake a cake, decorate a basic cream cake or even bake a loaf of bread in a matter of hours.

But what we can not teach is what comes only with experience and makes a student special, and that is creativity, ideas, fantasy, art, self confidence and most of all what comes from the heart.

The formula to our success as an academy of excellence will be - Education, Training, Respect, Happy work environment, regular specialised workshops in a classroom environment.

TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More!

An affordable donation from you will help change lives.

Employment plan and benefits for students

(Only an outline)

Year 1 - Initially a one month trial period will be given to many young people/students. (Depending on many factors including enthusiasm and willingness to learn, a 3 year apprenticeship could be offered. Up to 10 students will be added to our academy year on year, for the first 3 years).

The following 11 months will be considered work experience and unpaid, with end of year examinations. We will give certification for achievement and the passing of year one. No certification will be given for failure or just for attending.

Year 2 – With year 1 completed, a student will receive 30% of a qualified person’s salary in our industry. End of year exams with certification.

Year 3 – With year 1 & 2 completed, a student will receive 60% of a qualified person’s salary in our industry. End of year examinations.

On completion of a 3 year apprenticeship the qualified student will be offered full employment with full salary and benefits. Certification will be awarded which will be accepted throughout the industry. The certification will also include any specialised workshops attended home or abroad.

A special passing out evening will be arranged by us for students completing the apprenticeship with family and invited friends.

An editorial of the student’s achievement will be made public in the largest Cake magazine in the world.

Giving so many apprenticeships is not just a show of numbers, but actually an important requirement for the future of our academy. Our comprehensive curriculum we are going to teach is not taught anywhere else in Europe, and the future of our establishment depends on students making the grade and joining our team. By joining our team the offer of other career opportunities will also be made available. Not only to be employed as a qualified expert on full salary, but also the chance to advance and become an academy teacher.

All of our apprentices and employees will be enrolled into the Dutch workers union FNV Horeca section. This action I will insist on due to the age group and believe that all workers young and old deserve independent support when required. If nothing else the FNV is a library information concerning rules and regulations of employment just a telephone call away.

I or my Team can not promise to give every young person an apprenticeship or a permanent secure future with us. But as a Team we can guarantee the successful students will have received the most modern training available in Patisserie, (Baking, Cake designing, Chocolate, Pastries) and Sugarcraft available at our Academy.

I consider this project to be my last business venture: One for the family, which will continue on secure and solid foundations for many years. With private investment and generosity this project will be accelerated and give many young people a chance I believe they deserve.

Every person that takes part in this project will be publicly credited and documented for giving young people a future and creating an asset to the community and industry.

If you feel the same way as I strongly do!

Please help us with the funding, by donating or investing so that I can make this project become a reality in the very near future.

In anticipation of your generosity and support, I would like to thank you in advance from my family and the many young people that will be given an opportunity to secure their future because of you.

Joe, Helen, Joey and Abbie Scott

Giving just a small amount under €50 will really help me reach my goal, and if you are not in a position to help financially - Help me by SHARING our page and telling your friends.

'People Power’

Giving someone’s child a helping hand into work.

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