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Kitchen Assistant?

I am employed as a part time kitchen assistant. I undertook a 1 year course in Food Safety & Preparation last year in college, and this my first job related to the field in which I want to go into , which is catering. However, I am only getting paid the minimum wage £5.75 per hour. Is that because this is my first job and hopefully my wages would increase with experience, or are kitchen assistants generally not well paid? I have also noticed that most kitchen assistant jobs are only part time. Why is that? Also, what would be the natural progression from being a kitchen assistant? Would I have to take further courses at college? Would there be a significant increase in salary?

Public Comments

1. Since this is your First Job You are getting so. Once you are experienced the the scene will be different All the Best Fisa http://mcareer.blogspot.com
2. Wages sometimes have nothing to do with qualification. Also, don't bank on your wage going up with experience or further qualification, only on responsibility. Kitchen jobs are generally badly paid, end of story. Talk to your bosses boss, not in such a way as to get more money now - make that very clear, but to ask about their career path to where they are today. They'll be flattered to be asked and you'll get noticed. This is not brown nosing - you genuinely want to know.
3. I worked as a kitchen assistant when i first finished school and at the time was on about 4.50,after i had been there a while my jobs increased and after asking for a pay rise i got it. Whether you get paid well depends on what you are expecting,experience will help,and if you want to move on from a kitchen assistant try asking your boss ,they might be able to train you there,you dont have to go back to college.
4. Catering jobs are generally poorly paid and lower level jobs are frequently part time. However once you move up the ladder and prove yourself as being skilled and committed you will find more shifts coming your way. Hours are unsociable in this industry and employers value flexibility. Many people have second jobs in this industry or are studying which makes part time working more popular. Several part time staff are often preferred by employers over one or two full timers as more people can be called in to cover busy times, and one person off sick or on holiday does not have such an impact on the team. Pay is low in catering jobs however do you get perks? You might not appreciate the free food so much if you live with your parents but it saves a lot on bills. You should be rewarded with more pay as you become more experienced, and if you have a supportive chef who will take the time to train you this will be worthwhile in the long run. Talk to your boss about how you want to learn and progress, they might not be aware of your ambition. One last peice of advice, jobs can be easy to come by in catering, and it can be tempting to switch employers for more money, but if your current employer is willing to develop your skills and invest in you its best to stay as it will be worth much more in the long run. Good luck!