Workforce development initiative prepares candidates for jobs in the food retail industry
\nNew York, NY – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the HOPE Program today announced that GROCERYworks, an innovative job training program preparing candidates to work in the grocery and food retail industry, has graduated 147 underemployed and unemployed New Yorkers since it began in 2010. Funded by the Council and conducted by the HOPE Program, GROCERYworks has helped over 70 percent of graduates obtain jobs, 75 percent of which are full-time. Now in its third year, GROCERYworks is on track to exceed a 75 percent one-year job retention rate. New GROCERYworks cohorts began training in January, and another group of trainees will begin the program on March 25. Speaker Quinn first announced the initiative as part of FoodWorks, a comprehensive blueprint to overhaul our food system by creating jobs, improving public health and protecting the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the Council first partnered with the HOPE program to launch GROCERYworks, we never dreamed it would be so successful after only two years,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cOur food system presents tremendous opportunities to get New Yorkers back to work, and many of these opportunities can be found in the food retail industry. By providing training to underemployed and unemployed people, we’re creating a pipeline into the industry and a career path for these New Yorkers. I congratulate the HOPE program and the graduates on a job well done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGROCERYworks is a cutting-edge approach to addressing both the unemployment crisis and the need for well-trained and dedicated food industry employees. Its success is the result of a true partnership between HOPE, the New York City Council and our food industry employers. Together, we have transformed individual lives, exceeded employer expectations and contributed to a stronger New York,\u201d said Jennifer Mitchell, HOPE\u2019s Executive Director.<\/p>\n
GROCERYworks students undergo eight weeks of full-time skills training. They also take part in four-week internships at grocery stores and other food- related sites. The curriculum emphasizes customer service skills, conflict resolution techniques, job retention and career advancement strategies.<\/p>\n
GROCERYworks training also focuses on food retail-specific skills such as:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Understanding grocery store culture, major employers and their products
\n\u2022 Cashiering and required math skills
\n\u2022 Product recognition
\n\u2022 Maintaining store appearances
\n\u2022 Working in fast-paced environments
\n\u2022 Knowledge of environmental issues impacting supermarkets
\n\u2022 Food handling (certification offered)
\n\u2022 Occupational safety (certification provided)<\/p>\n
The program was designed with the input of the food retail industry, labor unions and other experts to ensure that high quality training is provided and that program graduates will be placed in good jobs.<\/p>\n
GROCERYworks trainees have been hired by companies including Foragers Market, Three Guys from Brooklyn, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Gristedes and others.<\/p>\n
###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Workforce development initiative prepares candidates for jobs in the food retail industry
\nNew York, NY – City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the HOPE Program today announced that GROCERYworks, an innovative job training program preparing candidates to work in the grocery and food retail industry, has graduated 147 underemployed and unemployed New Yorkers since it began in 2010.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n