Nurturing Talent to Reduce Turnover & Increase Engagement

The Culinary Advancement Training Series (CATS) is a CCL Hospitality Group program that engages both hourly and salaried employees with in-depth development opportunities conducted in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America.

The training includes a comprehensive online class schedule, three hours each week online with mentors, homework assignments, exams, and regular webinars with senior leadership. Culinarians who have successfully completed the curriculum and development plan, and who have been actively mentored by a regional or corporate chef, are added to CCL’s ”Emerging Leaders” list for future opportunities within the company.

The benefits of the CATS program for the residents of Peace Village includes the cooks learning new ways to make things from scratch which allows them to tailor dishes to the tastes and nutritional desires of residents.

Roger Ellens
CEO | Peace Village, Illinios

Employee turnover remains an ongoing challenge with rates exceeding 33% in senior care, according to Argentum’s Workforce Trends Report. Amid rising turnover and rapidly expanding care needs, hiring and retention practices, along with associate engagement and recognition is critical to morale.

CCL’s culinary team tapped The Culinary Institute of America to offer both CIA ProChef® Mentor training and Culinary Advancement Training Series (CATS) to provide culinarians with
education, ongoing training, and development opportunities to take their careers to the next level.

• Talent Development
• Resident Satisfaction
• Engagement Strategies

Results:

1. Reduced Average Time to Fill Culinary Positions
   Over the course of the Fiscal Year 2021, CCL reduced the average time to full a culinary position by 29%
2. Cost Savings on Vacant Positions
   CCL saved an estimated $185 per day on vacant culinary positions or an average of $1,480 per open position.
3. Reduction in Turnover Rates
   In 2020, CCL turnover rate was 72.7% below the foodservice industry average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the turnover rate for internal culinary positions decreased 3% year over year. Given the challenges the senior living industry faced during COVID-19, a reduction in turnover is a testament to workplace culture.