Cerritos College and LACOE Celebrate ‘GROW’ and ‘GAIN’ Graduates of Culinary Arts Fundamentals Program
The Cerritos College Economic Development and the Los Angeles County Office of Education
(LACOE) celebrated a sixth cohort of graduates from the Culinary Arts Fundamentals
Program on April 19.
The cohort is part of a partnership between the College and LACOE to provide job preparation skills to participants in the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) and General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW) programs. Both programs are part of the County’s welfare-to-work initiative. Ten GAIN and GROW participants prepared a five-course lunch for the ceremony, and students received certificates from the College for completing a rigorous five-week culinary training course.
The Cerritos College Economic Development office coordinated the five-week program with the College’s Culinary Arts department. With over 125 hours of training, the students learned invaluable skills that will contribute toward their long-term career goals.
“Having a chance to see the students’ positive attitude every week was very rewarding because they showed their own desire to learn how to be culinary art professionals,” said Chef Juan Lopez, the instructor of the program.
“Our goal is to establish a career pathway for people who are passionate about having an occupation. We help them to become more self-reliant through gainful employment,” said Belle Gomez, Director of Community Advancement at Cerritos College. “We hope the students will continue their education and earn an official certificate or degree through our credit program.”
The program is made available with the funding from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services.
Stay Connected