Culinary Arts (Sous Chef Apprenticeship) – BA (Hons)

An apprenticeship is a programme of structured education and training which formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in a university, third-level education institution, or training Centre. It is a dual system, blending on-the-job, employer-based learning with off-the-job academic study. Apprentices are paid employees for the duration of the programme and gain nationally recognised qualifications.

Sous Chefs are senior members of the kitchen brigade, acting as second-in-command to the Head Chef. They oversee daily operations, manage staff, design menus, and ensure the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation.

Graduates can advance to Head Chef or Executive Chef positions, move into culinary education, food product development, consultancy, or progress to postgraduate study in culinary innovation, gastronomy, or hospitality management.

2 years, with a combination of workplace learning and academic study.

Applicants for the programme must be employed on an Apprenticeship contract of employment.

Applications to register an apprentice can only be submitted by a Registered Employer.

Details of current apprenticeship opportunities are advertised locally and nationally by many employers, and are often listed on the national apprenticeship jobs portal at: https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs

For further information on apprenticeship opportunities, please visit: https://culinary-apprenticeships.com/sous-chef-apprenticeship/  or contact Restaurants Association of Ireland: apprenticeships@rai.ie

An apprenticeship is a dual-system education model combining work-based learning with academic study, enabling participants to gain practical industry experience while earning a nationally recognised qualification.

This apprenticeship is suitable for:

• Qualified chefs holding a Level 7 Ordinary Degree in Culinary Arts (or equivalent) who wish to advance their career to senior kitchen management roles.
• Experienced culinary professionals seeking to develop strategic, leadership, and advanced technical skills while continuing to work.
• Individuals aiming to progress to Head Chef or Executive Chef positions, or to move into culinary innovation, education, or consultancy.

Employers should be in the hospitality or tourism sector and capable of providing the apprentice with opportunities to develop leadership, operational management, and advanced culinary skills to meet programme learning outcomes.

As part of the national apprenticeship system, there are formal requirements for approval of an employer’s suitability to train apprentices and for registration of apprentices. SOLAS is responsible for delivering on these requirements.

How to Register Your Interest:

Employers can directly register their interest in becoming an approved employer via the SOLAS Apprenticeship Online Portal: www.apprenticeshiponline.ie/#/employer/register.

Alternatively, please visit: https://culinary-apprenticeships.com/sous-chef-apprenticeship/  or contact Restaurants Association of Ireland: apprenticeships@rai.ie

Following submission of an Expression of Interest, a SOLAS Authorised Officer from the relevant Education and Training Board (ETB) will conduct a suitability assessment. This process is straightforward, typically involves a site visit, and is normally completed within 1–2 weeks.

Workplace mentors must be qualified chefs with a minimum of 4–5 years’ experience, ideally holding a Level 8 award or equivalent.

Apprentices are supported by their Industry Mentor, Academic Supervisor, and the programme’s Apprenticeship Manager. They receive academic support during block release and ongoing guidance during industry placements.

For all consortia-led apprenticeships, the employer is responsible for the wages/salary of the apprentice during the programme, including during the off-the-job stages in the University, third-level education institution or training centre. There is no specified training rate or salary level, that must be agreed between the Employer and their Apprentice.

The programme has fees that are payable by the apprentice and may be sponsored/subsidised by their Employer.

For information on fees, please visit: https://culinary-apprenticeships.com/sous-chef-apprenticeship/ or contact Restaurants Association of Ireland: apprenticeships@rai.ie

For more details on the Sous Chef Apprenticeship, visit: https://apprenticeship.ie

For information on partner Technological Universities, visit: https://culinary-apprenticeships.com/sous-chef-apprenticeship/ or contact the TUS Apprenticeship office on businessandhumanities@tus.ie.