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Job Training Opportunities

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

Our free training programs are available to unemployed and underemployed adults living in Cook County. These opportunities are background friendly and welcoming to those without a high school diploma or GED. All training programs are paid and provide a completion bonus.

Current Job Training Offerings

Our current programs combine online and in-person instruction. Due to COVID-19, access to in-person training is limited. We are currently developing new trainings. Stay tuned for future announcements.

Hospitality Career Path Programs

We currently offer two customer service and food industry job training programs.

Customer Service Excellence: 4-week program to prepare for entry-level jobs in customer-facing industries
Food Handler: 4-week program to prepare for entry-level jobs in food-related industries

Both of these programs provide paid training and a completion bonus. People who complete all program requirements will receive ServSafe® certifications.

Supply Chain Career Path Programs

We currently offer two training programs for jobs in warehouses and supply chain industries.

Warehouse Bridge: 6-week program to prepare for entry-level, semi-skilled positions in warehouses or factories
Certified Logistics & Warehouse Technician: 12-week program to prepare for higher-wage jobs in the competitive and in-demand warehouse, logistics and supply chain industries

Both of these programs provide paid training and a completion bonus. People who complete all program requirements will receive OSHA 10 Certification.

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Hospitality Career Path Program Details

Customer Service Excellence

This remote and virtual training prepares students for productive careers in the hospitality and customer service industries.

The Customer Service Excellence training includes:

Front of house hospitality training
Customer service training
Barista education
Life skills and job placement assistance
Professional development and case management
services
Transportation and food assistance
ServSafe® Food Handler Certification
ServSafe® ManageFirst Customer Service Certification
Paid training + completion bonus

Food Handler

A hybrid of remote, virtual and in-kitchen training prepares students for productive careers in foodservice, food production and other food-handling industries.

The Food Handler training includes:

Introduction to the various food-related industries
Food handling, production and professional kitchen equipment training
Knife skills
Kitchen safety and sanitation training
Life skills and job placement assistance
Professional development and case management services
Transportation and food assistance
ServSafe® Food Handler Certification
ServSafe® Allergens Certification
Paid training + completion bonus

Supply Chain Career Path Program Details

Warehouse Bridge Program

This hands-on training prepares students for entry-level, semi-skilled positions in warehouses or factories.

The Warehouse Bridge training includes:

Customer service training
Hands-on forklift and warehouse training
Life skills and job placement assistance
Professional development and case management services
Transporation and food assistance
ServSafe® Food Handler Certification offered in English and Spanish
ServSafe® ManageFirst Customer Service Certification
Class III: Motor Hand Trucks Certification (certified by the National Safety Council/OSHA 10)
OSHA 10 Certification
Paid training + completion bonus

Certified Logistics & Warehouse Technician Training Program

Hybrid-approach training with in-person, virtual and hand-on instruction prepares students for higher-wage productive careers in the competitive and in-demand warehouse, logistics and supply chain industries.

The Certified Logistics & Warehouse Technician training includes:

Logistics and warehouse training aligned with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council’s (MSSC) standards for Certified Logistics Technician Certification
Hands-on forklift and warehouse training
Life skills and career counseling services
Professional development and job placement assistance
Transportation and food assistance
Certified Logistics Technician and Associate (MSSC) Certifications
Forklift Certification (certified by National Safety Council)
OSHA 10 Certification
Paid training + completion bonus