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Job Training Opportunities

Employment helps people overcome poverty and hunger. The Food Depository now offers FREE and PAID hospitality and supply chain career path training programs.

Our free training programs are available to unemployed and underemployed adults living in Cook County. Our programs are background friendly and welcoming to those without a high school diploma or GED.

Start your new career today

Our current programs combine virtual and hands-on, in-person instruction. All of our FREE job training programs are paid and offer a completion bonus!

All participants must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enroll.

Hospitality Career Path Programs

Customer Service Excellence: 4-week program to prepare you for a career in hospitality or customer service industries
Food Handler: 4-week program to help you start a career in foodservice or food production in the food-handling industries

Both of these programs provide paid training and a completion bonus. Upon completion of the program, you will also receive specialized, professional ServSafe® certifications to start your career.

Supply Chain Career Path Programs

Warehouse Bridge: 6-week introductory program to prepare you for an entry-level, semi-skilled position in warehouses or factories
Certified Logistics Associate: 7-week program to prepare you for a higher-wage job in the competitive and in-demand warehouse, logistics and supply chain industries

Both of these programs provide paid training and a completion bonus. Upon completion of the program, you will also receive specialized, professional certifications to start your career.

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Hospitality Career Path Program Details

Customer Service Excellence

Get help finding a job in hospitality and customer service industries!

Our hybrid-approach training provides remote, virtual and in-person training to prepare you for a new career in the in-demand front-of-house hospitality industry.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Front-of-house hospitality and customer service trainings
Beverage and barista basics training
Specialized, professional certifications to start your career, including the ServSafe® Food Handler and ManageFirst Customer Service Certifications
Life skills and career counseling services
Professional development and job placement assistance
Transportation and food assistance
4-week paid training + completion bonus

Food Handler

Start a career in foodservice, food production and food-handling industries!

Our hybrid-approach training provides remote, virtual and in-kitchen training to prepare you for a new career in the in-demand hospitality industry.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Introduction to the various food-related industries
Food handling, production and professional kitchen equipment training
Knife skills
Kitchen safety and sanitation training
Specialized, professional certifications to start your career, including the ServSafe® Food Handler and Allergens Certifications
Life skills and career counseling services
Professional development and job placement assistance
Transportation and food assistance
4-week paid training + completion bonus

Supply Chain Career Path Program Details

Warehouse Bridge

Start a new career in the competitive and in-demand supply chain industry!

Our hands-on training will prepare you for an entry-level, semi-skilled position in a warehouse or factory.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Customer service training
Hands-on forklift and warehouse training
Specialized, professional certifications to begin your career, including ServSafe® Food Handler and ManageFirst Customer Service Certifications and Class III: Motor Hand Trucks Certification (certified by the National Safety Council/OSHA 10)
Life skills and job placement assistance
Professional development and case management services
Transportation and food assistance
6-week paid training + completion bonus

Certified Logistics Associate

Get help finding a higher-wage job in the competitive and in-demand supply chain industry!

Our in-person, hands-on instruction will prepare you for a career in the warehouse, logistics and supply chain industries.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Logistics and warehouse training leading to all of the professional certifications you need to begin your career, including:
- Manufacturing Skills Standards Council’s (MSSC) Certified Logistics Associate Certification
- Forklift Certification (certified by National Safety Council)
- OSHA 10 Certification
Life skills and career counseling services
Professional development and job placement assistance
Transportation and food assistance
7-week paid training + completion bonus