An Institutional Cook prepares meals in both small and large quantities using bulk-cooking methods in conventional, cook chill or cook freeze environments. An Institutional Cook prepares food to meet individual dietary needs, including health, religious needs, ethnic preferences and budgetary requirements. An Institutional Cook may work in retirement or long-term care homes, hospitals, childcare centres, school dining areas, correctional facilities and corporate environments. Specifically, an Institutional Cook:
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Institutional Cook is 3,960 hours (approximately two years) consisting of 3,600 hours of on-the job work experience and 360 hours of in-school training.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s apprenticeship training standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.
As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.
IN-SCHOOL TRAINING
An Institutional Cook apprenticeship includes one level of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:
Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:
Institutional Cook is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.
This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.