Students in Barrie take part in a free assistant cook pre-apprentice program
The assistant cook pre-apprentice program at Georgian College is a free program partially funded by both levels of government to help train and connect students with a job upon completion.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Each year 15 students take part in the assistant cook pre-apprentice program, which FOCUS Employment Services provide in partnership with Georgian College.
"Every day, it's a new technique. We're learning proper cutting by techniques, proper ways of producing great meals for people, and it's been a blast," said student Jeff Somerville.
For 18 years, FOCUS Employment Services has offered the annual training.
"The ministry funds these students to come in and get all the bells and whistles that they need to get into the culinary industry ahead of going into the job, so they are more enticing to an employer because they know what they're doing.
We do the food safety training, we have free uniforms, knife kits, non-slip shoes, and then it is my job to get them a job," said Angela Adams, program coordinator with FOCUS Employment Services.
One of the employers, FOCUS, works in collaboration with its State & Main restaurant in Barrie.
"One of the things about being in the restaurant industry is the difference between teaching somebody how to cook and teaching them the recipes that we have here at the restaurant, and with the FOCUS program, they come in already knowing how to cook. So, it just elevates that one step of having to teach them how to cook and teaching them what we do here," said David Ritch with State & Main.
This year's program began on May 29 and will run until the beginning of September.
Over the past 18 years, 260 students have gone through the program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Heists, arson and a baseball bat brawl: the violent side of clothing donation bins
In part three of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look into allegations that the industry is rife with organized crime activity.
Four people dead after vehicle crashes into guardrail in downtown Toronto
Four people are dead following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Montreal's mayor is leaving politics, and she's not alone. Is it the toxic climate for women?
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante announced Wednesday she would not seek a third mandate. Her decision has many talking about the demands of municipal leadership, particularly for women.
Canada will cut its permanent immigration levels by at least 20 per cent
Canada will lower the number of permanent immigrants it allows into the country by at least 20 per cent from its previous target of 500,000, CTV News confirmed Wednesday.
CEO of N.B. potato chip company taking 'extended leave of absence' after arrest
The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.
Memorial growing outside Halifax Walmart where employee was found dead
A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.
Trudeau says Liberals 'strong and united' despite caucus dissent
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal party is 'strong and united,' despite efforts from within his caucus to oust him as leader.
'Canadians can breathe a sigh of relief': Bank of Canada governor on interest rate cut
The Bank of Canada made a sizable cut to its key lending rate Wednesday from 4.25 per cent to 3.75 per cent as the global economy continues to expand. The half percentage point cut is the fourth rate cut in a row by the central bank as inflation dropped from 2.7 per cent in June to 1.6 per cent in September.
Search efforts begin at Prairie Green Landfill: Manitoba government
A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.