The art of making the perfect loaf of sourdough takes great care and attention to detail, and it's hoped that a new program in Launceston can encourage people with autism or a sensory disability to give it a try.
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The Sourdough Start-Up - a joint project with StGiles and FermenTasmania under the Disability Innovator Hub - is offering a four-day training experience with Sandy's Sourdough baker Josh Crisp.
The program is set over three phases: the first aimed at providing the basic skills needed to make sourdough, the second providing more formal workplace training and the third being a potential social enterprise bakery and other employment opportunities.
FermenTas chief executive officer Karina Dambergs said the program was designed to provide people with a disability the access to practical bakery skills that others in the community benefit from.
"We've seen from similar programs around the world that people from the autism spectrum have useful skillsets for this kind of work, with sourdough baking requiring high attention to detail, doing the same task again and again, and packaging," she said.
"The great thing is being able to get your hands in and feel the dough, learn more about what you need to know to work in a kitchen, and basic things like how to put on your equipment and uniform, hand hygiene.
"The first step is just to try it out.
"This is the gold standard, to be taught by those in industry."
The program is open to anyone with a disability, although it is specifically designed for people with autism, a sensory disability or a mild intellectual disability.
The first phase involves four days of initial training on September 21-22 and 28-29, before those interested in getting more formal training can move into the next phases. Groups of four can participate initially.
The Disability Innovator Hub is a three-year collaboration between StGiles, Self-Help Workplace, Eskleigh, illuminate Furnitures and FermenTas. Other programs include an inclusive studio arts space and a Meal Worm Start-Up.
The hub has been funded through the Tasmanian Community Fund for community organisations.
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