Pathways: VESL Institutional Food Service

The purpose of this 10-week training is to introduce non-native English speakers to entry-level jobs in the food service industry. The classroom activity will be accompanied by a hands-on unpaid work experience in a food service environment 9-12 hours per week. Students will be placed in hospitals, schools, nursing/retirement homes and other institutional settings where there are likely to be eventual job openings. Students will be introduced to the variety of opportunities available in this industry as well as the necessary skills needed to access these types of jobs. Students will receive information regarding workplace communication, safety procedures, customer service, kitchen organization, food handler’s cards, and career planning skills.

Additionally, there will be an intensive job development component to assist participants with their individual employment needs.

Students will be selected for the training through an interview and screening assessment process to determine English proficiency and employability.

Conveniently located:
Portland Community College
Classes start soon:
Fall Term 2012 starts September 24, 2012.
Learn more:
Click here to download a printable flyer.

Recruitment Sessions

The next training is Fall Term 2012 and runs from September 24, 2012 - December 6, 2012 ; Job Search available through February 2012. Interested applicants must attend one of the following information sessions:

PCC Southeast Center, 2305 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97216**

Parking permits required and cost $5.00 per day

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
 2:00 pm
Mt. Scott Hall 202
Friday, July 27, 2012
10:00 am
Mt. Scott Hall 102
Wednesday, August 9, 2012 1:00 pm Mt. Scott Hall 102
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 1:00 pm Mt. Scott Hall 205
PCC Willow Creek Center, 241 SW Edgeway Drive, Beaverton, OR 97006
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
10:00 am
Room 208
Thursday, August 23, 2012
10:00 am
Room 208
Portland Metro Workforce Training Center, 5600 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97218
(No current recruitments scheduled here)
Mt. Hood Community College—Maywood Park Campus, 10100 NE Prescott, Portland, OR 97220
(No current recruitments scheduled here)

Cost of Training: Food Service Cost Sheet FY 11-12

Students are encouraged to register with One-Stop locations, DWP/WIA or NAFTA/TRA.

Totals for Tuition and Books: 
DWP and One Stop participants in Multnomah and Washington Counties  $2,320 (Additional Costs including Food Handlers card and parking not included in tuition; please refer to cost sheet)
Third party vendors should consult the third party billing page. $2,325 (Additional Costs including Food Handlers card and parking not included in tuition; please refer to cost sheet)

Classroom: 12 hours per week

  • Kitchen organization
  • Recipes and measurements
  • Cash register operation
  • Workplace communication
  • Kitchen safety
  • Knife demonstration and safety
  • Online application practice
  • Basic computer navigation

Internship: 9-12 hours per week

  • Unpaid work experience in an institutional food service environment
  • Practice skills learned in the classroom
  • Offer concurrently with classroom training

Job Search: 6-12 hours per week

  • Job search strategies and techniques
  • Individualized one-on-one assistance in job search
  • Customized cover letters and resume

What should I do next to get into the training?