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Press Release: Cook It Up and Ready For Retail training programs help community members gain practical skills for the workplace

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SIRCH Train Program Logos_ Cook It Up_Ready For Retail

Have you ever imagined yourself chopping vegetables in a beautiful commercial kitchen? Or helping customers choose gifts from a selection of hand crafted items? Have you felt stuck in a rut in your current job and want to just try something new, but don’t want to pay to take diploma or degree courses until you’re sure?  Do you want more stability in a job?  Or just a job?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to check out Cook It Up and Ready For Retail, two training programs that are starting soon at SIRCH Community Services in partnership with Fleming College.  New this year these programs will be offered both onsite and online.

Cook It Up trains people in food services.  Over four months, part time, trainees learn about working in a professional kitchen. They not only learn skills like knife handling, nutrition, cooking, and serving but also skills that are invaluable in life – how to work in a team, how to deal with difficult people, what to do about stress, how to focus on the positives.  And then trainees get to practice their skills in the SIRCH Community Kitchen and Bistro, which is open to the public.  The beautiful space is welcoming and low key, perfect for a beginner!

Ready for Retail trains people to work in retail spaces.  The course is the same length of time, with the same communication/teamwork training but retail trainees will also learn cashier duties, merchandizing, loss prevention and much more.  Practical experience will be first gained in the SIRCH Marketplace, a vibrant store attached to the Bistro that is filled with unique items from dozens of artists and entrepreneurs. 

You can do some courses from home or, if you don’t have an available computer, at the Training Centre.  And some of the classes will be in small groups in the SIRCH Training Centre in Haliburton.

“These programs will help you gain the skills and confidence you need to find success.  We can help you solve any practical issues that may stand in your way, like if you don’t have transportation, or need to be home when the kids get off the bus.  And you’ll get a hot lunch any day you’re on site.”  said Gena Robertson, SIRCH Executive Director. “Our instructors will make you feel confident in no time.  Our goal is to get you employed, or self employed, and everyone is going to bend over backwards to make that happen.”

Cook It Up and Ready for Retail have six years of success behind them with 90 per cent of graduates being offered jobs upon graduation.

Both these programs are FREE. Yes you read that correctly! Cook It Up and Ready For Retail are offered at no cost to the participant If you’re ready for a new career then don’t hesitate to sign up for this opportunity. If interested in applying or to learn more, contact SIRCH at info@sirch.on.ca or call 705-457-1742. Or you can visit www.sirch.on.ca.

Cook It Up returns to Molly’s Bistro Bakery

The wait is over! SIRCH’s Cook It Up is back at Molly’s Bistro Bakery!

Cook It Up is a free 16-week job training program offered annually by SIRCH Community Services for adults 18+ who want to work in restaurants, camps, or start a food business.

During the past month, Cook It Up trainees have been learning menu planning, following recipes, knife skills, serving customers and more. From March 10 to May 5, 2020, the trainees will host a free lunch every Tuesday at Molly’s Bistro Bakery, 170 Bobcaygeon Road, Minden, from 12 noon to 2 P.M.

SIRCH’s Executive Director, Gena Robertson, commented: “The free 3-course lunch is a genuine gift to the community from SIRCH. It’s a thank you for all your support. And it also gives our trainees a very authentic experience that they couldn’t find anywhere else. Part of the goal of Cook It Up is to help people feel connected, while building skills, confidence and a sense of community.”

“Our Cook It Up trainees are so excited to share their new-found skills with the public,” said Jay McIvor, SIRCH’s Food Initiatives Coordinator. “Every Tuesday, the trainees will create a three-course lunch with an international theme. There’s enough food each week for 65 people, so get there early!”

This is the sixth season of Cook It Up. This program has developed a strong reputation of training people to enter the food services industry. By the end of this program, 11 people will have increased knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise about food service and customer service.

Over the past five years of Cook It Up training, SIRCH has graduated 34 people from the program. 89% of graduates gained employment!

Visit www.sirch.on.ca for more information. Cook It Up Tuesday menus are posted by Monday.

SIRCH wants to thank Molly McInerny and Guy Dumas, owners of Molly’s Bistro Bakery, for sharing this restaurant on Tuesdays (a day it is typically closed) for the Cook It Up training program. The program is funded by Social Services, City of Kawartha Lakes.

Free restaurant and retail job training starting soon

If you’re looking for a new career or want to upgrade your employment skills, look no further! SIRCH Community Services is offering another season of its training programs, Cook It Up and Ready For Retail.

Registration is now open for these free programs that start January 29, 2020, and run for 16 weeks. Training takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays. Up to 12 participants can enroll in each program. Help with transportation, clothing, and footwear, may be available to those who need it.

Cook It Up

Cook It Up is for adults 18 and older who want to work in restaurants, camps, or start a food business. Participants will learn menu planning, following recipes, knife skills, and serving customers. In addition, participants will earn certifications in Safe Food Handling, Smart Serve, First Aid, and WHMIS.

The Cook It Up practical skills are taught by trained chefs who work in this community—Jay McIvor is SIRCH’s Food Initiatives Coordinator, and Amanda Goertzen is a chef at Bonnie View Inn.

And once again in 2020, Cook It Up will be cooking three-course lunches at Molly’s Bistro Bakery in Minden, in exchange for customers giving support and feedback to the trainees. Every Tuesday starting in March their lunches will be served to the public at no cost.

“If you haven’t worked in a while, or lack confidence, Cook It Up is a great way to re-enter the workforce,” said Jay McIvor, SIRCH’s Food Initiatives Coordinator. “Along with learning kitchen skills, you’ll gain confidence working as part of a team.”

Ready For Retail

Ready For Retail is for adults 18 and older who want to work in stores, markets, or start a retail business. Participants will learn about serving customers, handling cash, inventory management, and merchandizing. Participants will earn certifications in First Aid, and WHMIS.

Ready For Retail trainees will be placed in businesses that match their interests.

“Ready For Retail is extremely popular with both participants and local businesses,” said Dianne Woodcock, SIRCH’s Ready For Retail Coordinator. “Trainees gain practical experience that help lead to jobs, and local businesses gain new employees with relevant skills and training.”

Ready For Retail classroom material is taught by Lynda Shephard who is developing training for SIRCH and Dianne Woodcock who has coordinated the practical placements in local retail businesses for the past two years. Instructors will build skills in a supportive, fun and encouraging environment, and this year trainees will be placed in a retail establishment one day a week starting in March.

These programs would not be available without the support of City of Kawartha Lakes Social Services.

Adults interested in the Cook It Up or Ready For Retail training programs should contact SIRCH at 705-457-1742 or at info@sirch.on.ca.