Restaurant Ready
Connecticut Community Business Organization Grant Request
The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation is the recipient of a Liberty Bank Workforce Development grant.
In 2022, the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) launched CT Opportunities in Restaurant Employment (CORE) by scaling the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) workforce development programs, hospitality partners, and employers in Connecticut. CHEF serves as the connecting partner between NRAEF programs, community-based organizations (CBO), support agencies, potential employees, and hospitality employers. This portion of the program and being able to support the Restaurant Ready clients and community business organizations financially is a new aspect of the program. CORE is an ongoing program supporting Restaurant Ready and expanding to apprenticeships and other workforce initiatives. We expect this program to continue for at least the next 3 years, and hopefully beyond, as we expand opportunities.
Having an educated and well-trained workforce is critical to the success of the restaurant and hospitality industry. The state of Connecticut requires every food service location to have no less than one Certified Food Protection Manager on premises at all times. Our Restaurant Ready partners recognize the importance of providing these credentials, but they come with a cost. With funding to cover the costs of these credentials and training, CBO’s will be able to serve even more individuals. Providing employees both required certifications and additional career advancement training will increase employment opportunities, reduce turnover, and help employees elevate to higher levels of responsibility and income.
CHEF staff will work with each CBO to identify their certification needs during each session of their culinary training. CHEF will award training bundles to each CBO based on the numbers of participants and individual needs. Food safety training can take place online, at our existing classes or by scheduling private training sessions to meet the needs of each client. Each CBO works on a different schedule. Training sessions typically last 12-16 weeks. CHEF will work with each CBO to meet their course deadlines to ensure certifications are completed before their clients graduate their program. Upon graduation and completion of the credentials, CHEF staff will work with CBO staff to coordinate employer opportunities currently available to their clients.
In 2022, the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) launched CT Opportunities in Restaurant Employment (CORE) by scaling the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) workforce development programs, hospitality partners, and employers in Connecticut. CHEF serves as the connecting partner between NRAEF programs, community-based organizations (CBO), support agencies, potential employees, and hospitality employers. This portion of the program and being able to support the Restaurant Ready clients and community business organizations financially is a new aspect of the program. CORE is an ongoing program supporting Restaurant Ready and expanding to apprenticeships and other workforce initiatives. We expect this program to continue for at least the next 3 years, and hopefully beyond, as we expand opportunities.
Having an educated and well-trained workforce is critical to the success of the restaurant and hospitality industry. The state of Connecticut requires every food service location to have no less than one Certified Food Protection Manager on premises at all times. Our Restaurant Ready partners recognize the importance of providing these credentials, but they come with a cost. With funding to cover the costs of these credentials and training, CBO’s will be able to serve even more individuals. Providing employees both required certifications and additional career advancement training will increase employment opportunities, reduce turnover, and help employees elevate to higher levels of responsibility and income.
CHEF staff will work with each CBO to identify their certification needs during each session of their culinary training. CHEF will award training bundles to each CBO based on the numbers of participants and individual needs. Food safety training can take place online, at our existing classes or by scheduling private training sessions to meet the needs of each client. Each CBO works on a different schedule. Training sessions typically last 12-16 weeks. CHEF will work with each CBO to meet their course deadlines to ensure certifications are completed before their clients graduate their program. Upon graduation and completion of the credentials, CHEF staff will work with CBO staff to coordinate employer opportunities currently available to their clients.
Community Business Organizations participating in the Restaurant Ready program in Connecticut are invited to apply for grant funds.
