Being able to find the right person, at the right organization, at the right time, is a huge timesaver when it comes to workforce and training needs. Here, we've compiled resources throughout Virginia to help you find valuable connections.
If you have any questions, or would like to partner with VRLTA on workforce initiative - contact Dr. Jai Girard, Director of Education and Workforce Development.
Are You Restaurant Ready?
Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) partner with us and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) to provide training in six work-ready competency areas defined by the hospitality industry. These competencies are designed to help participants acquire the skills, discipline, and confidence to start a job and stay employed.
Our Restaurant Ready Partners:
Interactive Workforce Directories
Virginia’s hospitality employers don’t need to navigate workforce development alone. VRLTA’s Interactive Workforce Directories offer two powerful tools to help you connect, collaborate, and strengthen your talent pipeline. The Educational Institute Directory highlights career and technical education programs, workforce credentials, and degree offerings from community colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.
The Workforce Connections Directory connects you to a broad range of support services and resources designed to help employers hire, train, and retain a thriving workforce. Whether you're looking to build new partnerships or enhance existing ones, these directories are your go-to resource for growing Virginia’s hospitality workforce.
Organizations We Work With
Culinary Concepts AB
Culinary Concepts AB was established to make a lasting impact on individuals aspiring towards hospitality careers, especially those who may have been marginalized. Recognizing the limitations of the traditional culinary education system, CCAB sought to create a more inclusive and empowering training model that focuses on teaching both life skills and occupational expertise. By fostering this holistic approach, Culinary Concepts AB aims to broaden the horizons of individuals who may have never envisioned a future in the culinary arts industry.
Kitchen of Purpose
Kitchen of Purpose provides hands-on training in the industrial kitchen and commercial operations, vocational English learning, job-readiness classes, mentoring, and financial literacy training. Certifications lead to paid internships in the hospitality industry and permanent jobs.
Kitchen of Purpose offers tailored training to what the food service industry requires, offering employers a workforce of employees with comprehensive culinary knowledge, industry certifications, and life and employment skills.
Together We Bake
Together We Bake (TWB) is an empowerment-based workforce training program for women facing barriers to employment. Our program is centered around a small baking business through which women actively learn and participate in food production, food safety education, and business administration.
We also teach empowerment and life-skills classes to help women develop self-confidence, healthy coping strategies, and a strong support network as they move toward self-sufficiency. Each woman graduates job-ready and empowered.
Culinary Careers Collaborative
At its core, the Culinary Careers Collaborative is a community-driven initiative focusing on educating, upskilling, and placing culinary workers within our local economies. The program offers three distinct tracks catering to individuals with all skill levels, ranging from beginners to experienced culinary professionals.
Created to uplift businesses in Fairfax City and the Town of Vienna, the Culinary Careers Collaborative actively invests in advancing the community, providing individuals with the opportunity to gain employment and advance their careers.