“Restaurant Ready was a game changer for me.
It gave me the skills, confidence, and opportunity to pursue my dreams.”
– Kevin, Cafe Reconcile, LA
Restaurant Ready: Building Pathways of Opportunity
Restaurant Ready is a national program that empowers individuals with the job and life skills necessary to pursue a career in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
The program was launched in 2016 and was originally focused on serving the nation’s opportunity youth: individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in school and/or employed. Since its launch, the curriculum has been effectively used with entry-level employees of all ages and from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Working with local community-based organizations, the NRAEF currently operates Restaurant Ready programs in locations across the country.
Restaurant Ready Programs in New York
Capital Region
The SEAT Center, Schenectady
The Success Map Initiative, Cohoes
Unity House of Troy, Troy
Western NY
FeedMore WNY Buffalo, NY
New York City
The Odyssey House/ Edgecombe (in Partnership with the Reform Alliance)
How it Works
- Partner community-based organizations provide training in six work-ready competency areas defined by the restaurant industry.
- The competencies are designed to help participants acquire the skills, discipline and confidence to start a job and stay employed.
- The community-based organizations link individuals to local employers and provide wraparound services to eliminate any barriers to success.
Program Goals
- Establish a national standard and assessment for job-readiness skills.
- Highlight the hospitality industry as an opportunity-rich place for first jobs, and as a model of employment, development and advancement.
- Foster collaboration between community organizations, state restaurant associations, industry
partners, and employers. - Provide additional resources and opportunity for people who are out of school, unemployed, or underemployed.
Program Benefits
- INDIVIDUALS: Training, supports, industry connections, and
employment opportunities - COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS: Industry-informed
framework and curriculum, 35-state network, and industry connections - STATE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONS AND INDUSTRY: Access to
untapped talent, training and resources for new and incumbent staff
Download Restaurant Ready info sheet.
How to Get Involved
Please reach out to Elizabeth Soscia Fordley at elizabeths@nysra.org for more information.