ServiceSource employees serving in Quantico celebrate new skills, greater confidence, and opportunities for career advancement..
The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association Foundation (VRLTAF) and ServiceSource celebrated Restaurant Ready graduates on September 23, 2026, recognizing the accomplishments of food service professionals whose learning is strengthening both their daily work and their career potential.
The graduates work in Quantico’s food service facilities through ServiceSource’s AbilityOne contract. Participants are members of the intellectual and developmental disabilities community, and their achievements demonstrate the value of investing in accessible, industry-connected professional development.
“Inclusion has to extend beyond offering someone a job. It means investing in their development, recognizing their potential, and creating opportunities to advance,” said Dr. Jai Girard, Director of Education and Workforce Development for the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA). “Restaurant Ready and apprenticeship help us put that commitment into practice by connecting foundational workplace skills with hands-on learning and mentorship. That is how we strengthen our industry—by developing the talent within our workforce and making career growth accessible to more people.”
Restaurant Ready, a national program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, provides training in six core competency areas: personal responsibility, learning, communication, customer service, attitude, and industry skills. Through partnerships with community organizations and state restaurant associations, the program helps participants build skills and confidence for success in hospitality.
For these graduates, the training builds on work they already perform every day. It creates opportunities to strengthen communication, contribute more confidently to their teams, and prepare for additional responsibilities.
For graduate Byron Figueroa, who is also participating in an apprenticeship, that experience has helped change how he sees his future.
“This program has allowed me to come out of my shell and allow my voice to be heard,” Figueroa said.
Through Restaurant Ready and his kitchen manager apprenticeship, Figueroa described gaining a stronger understanding of teamwork and leadership while becoming more comfortable asking questions, seeking assistance, and learning from feedback. Working alongside supervisors and managers has allowed him to apply what he learns directly to his responsibilities in both front- and back-of-house operations.
His advice to others reflects that growth: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”
That connection between training and workplace mentorship is central to creating meaningful opportunities for advancement. Figueroa’s mentor, Fred Jackson, training manager, has taught two Restaurant Ready graduating classes while also supporting Figueroa’s development as an apprentice.
“This program has given me the ability to pour knowledge into future managers, cooks, and restaurant employees,” Jackson said. “It has opened doors for me to share my personal management skills and job skills that I have learned and applied.”
The experience has expanded Jackson's view of his own role as well.
“I never saw myself as the teaching type but programs like these are very enlightening,” he said.
The graduation illustrates how community partnerships, employer engagement, and mentorship can work together to support an inclusive hospitality workforce. Restaurant Ready provides a foundation for professional growth, while apprenticeship offers a structured opportunity to continue developing skills on the job.
For VRLTA, this work reflects a broader priority: expanding access to hospitality careers while helping people already working in the industry pursue their next step. Investing in employees’ development strengthens individuals, the teams they serve, and the industry’s capacity to cultivate talent from within.
To learn more about Restaurant Ready, hospitality apprenticeships, or workforce development partnerships, contact Dr. Jai Girard with the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association at jai@vrlta.org.