Pizza Haven Announces Qualifications Programme

Pizza Haven Announces Qualifications Programme For Workers

In a first for a pizza chain in New Zealand, Pizza Haven has announced today a partnership with Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology that will offer Pizza Haven workers the opportunity to earn a free qualification.

Pizza Haven, in association with Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), will offer its staff the opportunity to undertake both on and off-the-job training towards earning a National Certificate in Hospitality, Food and Beverage Service, Level 2. This qualification is NZQA approved.

Pizza Haven General Manager Operations, Tony Iommazzo, says the qualification initiative aims to support the company’s $2 million expansion plans by attracting staff to fill new positions. In June, Pizza Haven announced plans to build 12 new stores in New Zealand and create 240 jobs by mid 2002.

“The initiative also aims to improve efficiency. A structured training model offered to staff can turn a company around from one where people don’t want to work, to one where they thrive and productivity increases,” says Tony.

CPIT Business Development Manager, Chris George, says the partnership with Pizza Haven is an exciting development for the training institute and it is the first time a formalised agreement has been reached between CPIT and a fast food chain.

“We see this deal as only the beginning and we look forward to further training opportunities associated with Pizza Haven,” says Chris George.

Pizza Haven introduced the training initiative in its Australian stores in 1997 when the company found it needed to attract more career-minded workers.

“At that time we discovered that some staff considered their jobs as casual and short-term with little emphasis on building a career. Now Pizza Haven is seen as a learning organisation and not just a place to make money, with staff productivity and loyalty increasing also,” says Tony.

Pizza Haven staff will undertake training in two stages. The employee must first complete a Certificate of Excellence to begin training for the National Certificate in Hospitality, Food and Beverage Service Level 2.

It is estimated that the qualification will take between 12 and 18 months to complete depending on the competency of the student. The training initiative will initially be set up in major cities where Pizza Haven stores are located.

Staff members will be required to do off-site theory study as well as on-the-job training. Off-site theory includes topics such as hygiene and sanitation, occupational health and safety, quality assurance and food safety (HACCP).

Since introducing the training initiative in Australia, Pizza Haven has won numerous awards, including the 1999 Premier’s Food and Fibre Training Excellence Award. The company was also a finalist in the 1999 Australian Employer of the Year training category.

Pizza Haven was introduced into New Zealand in 1995 and currently has 38 outlets and 12 Pizza Haven-To-Go stores. The company now employs over 6,000 people in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand and generates over $120 million gross sales per annum. In New Zealand, each business is operated by local franchisees familiar with the local market.

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For further information please contact:

Tony Iommazzo Claudia Macdonald / Sarah Rogan
General Manager Operations Beyond Public Relations
Pizza Haven Tel: 306 1804
Mobile: 0061 407 978 019 Mobile: 025 932 418 / 025 234 3238

Colin Mellar Chris George
NZ Operations Manager Business Development Officer
Pizza Haven Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of
Mobile: 025 833351 Technology
Mobile: 025 240 9532

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