Backed by the Savoy Educational Trust, this initiative has provided professional culinary knife sets to 56 students during the 2024–25 academic year—equipping future chefs with the essential tools to thrive in the UK’s dynamic hospitality industry.

By targeting students from some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Scotland, Tools of the Trade plays a key role in promoting social mobility, inclusivity, and long-term career readiness in one of the UK’s most vital economic sectors.

Each campus hosted award ceremonies recognising student excellence across multiple levels of professional cookery programmes. Categories included Student of the Year, Most Improved Student, and Best Attendance. Awards were distributed in Paisley for Level 4, 5, and 6 Professional Cookery as well as the Level 5 Cookery with Employment course. In Greenock, recognition was given across Level 4, 5, and 6 cohorts.

Among this year’s honourees:

Chelsea Young level 6 professional Cookery, Paisley campus who won Most Improved, said,

“Many thanks to all my lecturers for all the new skills that I have gained over the past year during my studies on the level 6 professional cookery course at West College Scotland.

I now feel more confident as an individual and the new knife set that I won for being joint student of the year will help me on the next chapter of my professional pathway into the hospitality industry.

Rodrigo Politi level 6 Professional Cookery, Clydebank campus who won Student of the Year, commented,

 “The course was very interesting, and I learned a lot, but the most important thing to highlight is the human quality.

Thank you so much for the added value to my personal and professional life. I feel a little more fulfilled both personally and professionally.

'I am forever grateful to West College and the entire team who make it possible for us to see the new horizon in the distance. We are getting closer to that new horizon thanks to you. Super thankful and thank you so much for the award.”

This year’s cohort leaves West better equipped, both practically and professionally, to take on roles in commercial kitchens across Scotland and beyond. The College extends its sincere thanks to the Savoy Educational Trust for making this initiative possible.