High school program reaches 214,000 students
in 2023-2024 school year with industry-backed career and technical
education.
WASHINGTON, June 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 214,000 high
school students across the country are training to be part of the
next generation of culinary and restaurant leaders through
ProStart, the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation's (NRAEF) two-year career and technical education
(CTE) program that is celebrating its most successful year ever.
Logging a 30 percent increase in enrolled students and a 17 percent
expansion in participating schools, ProStart is equipping young
people with fundamental culinary and restaurant management concepts
in 2,100 classrooms across the country.
ProStart's advantage to young people comes from its blend of
formal CTE curriculum, brought to life through mentorship and
hands-on engagement by professionally trained educators. Students
are empowered with skills and the chance to work directly in the
restaurant and foodservice industry while in high school, with many
going on to take advantage of ProStart's apprenticeship and
post-secondary scholarship opportunities beyond graduation.
"ProStart is a great gateway to the culinary world. As a
student, it allowed me to intern at restaurants, earn college
credits for culinary school, and compete in culinary competitions.
With scholarship opportunities and hands-on experience, ProStart
truly jumpstarts careers for the next generation of hospitality
professionals," says 2024 James Beard Award winner, Chef
Matt Vawter, who owns Rootstalk and
Radicato in Breckenridge,
Colo.
More than 1 million students like Vawter have passed through
ProStart over the last 27 years, setting many of its graduates on
career trajectories as business owners and operators, culinary
visionaries, and entrepreneurs. They describe ProStart as
formative, equipping them with hard industry skills and
certifications, as well as soft skills like leadership, problem
solving, time management, and teamwork that will apply to any
future role.
"ProStart benefits students in the restaurant industry because
it is hands-on. They're able to get an unbelievable edge compared
to anyone else graduating from high school," says Jenn Turner, a ProStart educator at Independence School District in Independence, Mo.
Guided by educators like Turner, a subset of ProStart students
hone their skills at the competition level. Culinary competitors
train to prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes without access
to running water or electricity and using only two butane burners.
Restaurant management competitors must create a business case
proposal for an original restaurant concept, with emphasis on
business development, marketing strategy, and daily foodservice.
Each spring, selected teams compete against each other at their
state competitions, with winners advancing to the National ProStart
Invitational, where they go head-to-head for a national title and
their share of $200,000 in
scholarships.
"A training ground for jobs in the restaurant and foodservice
industry, ProStart applies the same elements of mentorship,
practice, and tenacity that characterize some of the world's best
athletes," says NRAEF president Rob
Gifford. "We're incredibly grateful for the supporters,
educators, and students who are fueling ProStart's growth as it
infuses knowledge and passion into the next generation of
restaurant champions."
Find out more about ProStart at
ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart.
About
ProStart®
ProStart®, a
nationwide, two-year high school career and technical education
program uniting the classroom and restaurant industry, reaches more
than 214,000 students at more than 2,100 high schools throughout
all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. ProStart gives students a platform to discover and
develop new interests and talents, while teaching employability
skills like teamwork, professional behavior, time management and
communication.
About the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation (NRAEF)
As the supporting
philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association,
the NRAEF's charitable mission includes enhancing the industry's
training and education, career development, and community
engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract,
Empower, and Advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant and
foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart® – a
high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant
Ready/HOPES – Partnering with community based organizations to
provide people with skills training and job opportunities; Military
– helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to
restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial
assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and
hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality
Leadership Center (RHLC) – accredited apprenticeship programs
designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more
information on the NRAEF,
visit ChooseRestaurants.org. Click here for the National
Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's 2023 Annual Impact
Report.
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SOURCE National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation