FOOD SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM - COLUMBIA AREA

The Goodwill Food Service training program provides five weeks of classroom curriculum and on-the-job training in the food service industry. The curriculum includes instruction in Food Preparation, Safe Food Handling, Storage and Serving of Food, Cash Handling, Customer Service, and Workplace Safety. The program is focused on preparing students for a career in the food service industry, including nationally-recognized ServSafe certification by the National Restaurant Association (NRA).

Work Readiness Curriculum: 25 hours (5 days)
Work Experience:  4 weeks (up to 30 hours per week, $7.25/hour)
Student must pay a non-refundable administration fee of $25.00 when registering. 

Goodwill provides:

• Uniforms
• Case Management
• Assistance with Job Search and Placement Services
• Post-Employment Services

The following are requirements in order to be considered for participation in the program. 

• Clean Criminal Background
• Participant must be at least eighteen years old
• Lift up to 70 pounds 
• Stand for long durations
• Minimal visual and hearing limitations
• Negative Drug Screen
• Demonstrate appropriate math and reading level(s) – Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment

Upon acceptance into the program, participants must attend orientation and successfully complete work readiness curriculum before beginning skills training.

Goodwill Industries reserves the right to make the final selection on all clients/students due to the limited space in the training program.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is an average class size? Ten people.

Am I guaranteed a job upon completion? Goodwill will provide you with assistance in your job search, including access to its Job Connection resources and personalized guidance from a Case Manager, but employment is not guaranteed.  

Where is the training? Locations for Work Readiness training may vary. Work Experience generally occurs at local grocery stores.

What do we learn in Work Readiness training?  Resume development, professionalism in the workplace, mock interviews, work ethics, basic computer skills, communications, and financial management.