September is National Workforce Development Month, so to close it out we got in touch with one of our Culinary Training Program graduates.
The program itself is a licensed trade school that is conducted by completing a 6-month certificate where students participate in 144 hours of classroom learning, and 280 hours of hands-on experience related to the food service industry, as well as 48 hours of job-readiness training.
Their story can be found below!
“After doing 18 months in Marysville, I was given an opportunity to come home early. I ended up at The Salvation Army of Harbor Light for 6 months. Going into the halfway house I found it difficult, but only because I allowed it to be. It was a readjustment back into reality, back to being a normal adult.
They have a system set up to help us once we are released. Being in the halfway house, they have this thing called structure activity every morning. One day they asked us, what we wanted to do with our future? I told them I liked cooking.
While incarcerated I took the Edwin’s courses on Edovo. I completed the course and came home thinking I was going to go attend there for culinary.
Well, they told me about LMM. The career specialist there and myself called Joe the same day. He told me when the following quarter started and when to be there.
Once I started, the LMM staff made sure we knew that if we needed anything they would help. I expressed that I disliked my job. I wasn’t making enough to support myself let alone my son and my household. Between Joe and Chef Adam, they helped me find what I’m now calling my career.
They sent me application after application. I felt like everybody seen my background and denied me regardless of my qualifications. LMM let me know that even after my background is ran my qualifications is all that really counts.
After my 3rd “no thanks” or “we’ll reach out again later down the line” I lost hope. I ended up in a warehouse making burritos and bowls crying almost every day.
Chef called me and told me to call Joe. They told me about a place looking for a line cook. I applied for a place called Great Lakes Brewing, and I am proud to say that I’ve been there a month now.
I’m currently doing something I love. And now I’m currently working on my LLC to do catering and comfort foods with a twist. I also graduated and now can be called Chef Choppz.”
