The foodservice industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. While growth is desirable, it also increases our industry’s labor shortage.

ProStart® is a new approach to learning in today’s schools. The program links students, schools and workplaces together in order to have one continuous learning experience. A partnership between local schools and restaurants, students in the 11th and 12th grade complete the nationally endorsed ProStart® curriculum. The dynamic and comprehensive curriculum encourages student to learn all aspects of the operating and managing of a food service establishment. This is accomplished by students taking the ProStart® class in school then proceeding to work (after school) in a structured hands-on worksite. Employers provide more than a paid work experience. They also provide students with workplace knowledge that is directly tied to their school lessons.