Restaurant Ready Program
Restaurant Ready is a national program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). It’s dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
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.
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 the restaurant industry as a suitable place for first jobs, and as a model of employment, development and advancement.
- Foster collaboration between community-based organizations, state restaurant associations and employers.
- Secure additional resources to support people not currently connected to school or work.
- Provide a national standard assessment for job-readiness skills.
Current Restaurant Ready Programs in New York
Capital Region
The SEAT Center, Schenectady
New York City
The Odyssey House/ Edgecombe (in Partnership with the Reform Alliance)
How to Get Involved
Please reach out to Elizabeth Soscia Fordley at elizabeths@nysra.org for more information.