Switched-On Enterprises: Celebrating our time with Riff Raff Catering

Ling Miao

After a successful three years, Switched-On Enterprises (SOE) has concluded its engagement with the social enterprise Riff Raff Catering. One of the University of Melbourne SIFE's pilot projects, SOE aims to create social and economic opportunity for disadvantaged groups in society through assisting small social enterprises in the non-profit sector.

Since its launch, it has engaged with a number of initiatives established by both the disability service provider Yooralla, and the government-funded Adult Multicultural Education Services.

One of these enterprises was Riff Raff Catering, a training centre for those with disabilities who face significant challenges in gaining employment. Riff Raff endeavours to equip these individuals with the skills and expertise to allow them to gain employment in the hospitality industry.

Throughout its engagement with Riff Raff, SOE has made significant achievements in helping the enterprise, including imparting basic business skills to help the enterprise develop a more competitive business model, as well as establishing a partnership between Riff Raff and catering company Elizabeth Andrews.

The primary goal of Switched-On Enterprises’ engagement with Riff Raff was to improve existing business practices and boost competitiveness, and ultimately, ensure their long-term viability. To achieve this, the team held workshops educating both management and the trainees in various areas of business operation.

SOE also provided Riff Raff trainees with workshops tailored to providing trainees with essential job skills, including resume and cover letter advice, as well as interview tips when they later progress to finding employment.

Another workshop organised by SOE focused on establishing partnerships with external catering companies to give Riff Raff trainees additional industry experience. Notably, SOE initiated a partnership with Elizabeth Andrews, and worked together with Riff Raff to establish a work experience transfer program that allows Riff Raff trainees to gain valuable work experience with Elizabeth Andrews.

SOE and Elizabeth Andrews have also enhanced the ability of Riff Raff to source cheaper suppliers for raw materials that are used in their catering services. Previously, Riff Raff had been purchasing ingredients at the retail price, but with access to Elizabeth Andrews’ list of suppliers, Riff Raff now has greater control over its expenditure for ingredients and can now buy ingredients at wholesale prices.

As the profits from the business operations are reinvested back into the training program, these savings greatly improve the ability of Riff Raff to provide valuable skills training to its trainees.

For more information, contact the Switched On Enterprises team: switched-on@unimelbsife.org.au