IKASLAN and the world of cooking

IKASLAN is an association of public vocational collegues (61) from the Basque Country, its activities focus on initial vocational education and (continuous) training for workers as well as educational and occupational schemes for unemployed persons and workers threatened with unemployment. Our objective is to promote the personal and occupational development of the persons enrolled in our courses, by means of high-quality education and training provision.

Educational provision is oriented towards the actual demands of the labour market and it also provides orientation in a world in motion. The high level of our courses is maintained by means of an internal quality management system, continual further training of employees and a transnational transfer of know-how. Most of our education and training courses are based on modular systems, so individually tailored, and thus highly efficient, forms of learning are possible. The formation is certified according to the international standard ISO.

After a theoretical and practical training during two years, our students need to complete a practical training in companies to get their degree. This practical training is organized according to the different curricula developed at the colleges and would take into account a period of 400 hours, between 10 and 12 weeks, in different countries of the European Union or in countries that are about to enter in the EU.

At this time our three specific kitchen centers train hundreds of future chefs and room staff. Thanks to IKASLAN’s international programs, students can practice in kitchens and restaurants throughout Europe for three months.

This period brings the fellows many new culinary skills and a knowledge of new cultures.

Text by Sergio Fidalgo, IKASLAN MOBILITY