Centralina WDB NextGen Youth Graduates from Culinary Arts Training Program in Mooresville
Jul 25, 2019
Centralina WDB NextGen Youth Christopher Washington, a 20-year old resident of Iredell County, was one of three individuals who graduated from the Mooresville Soup Kitchen Culinary Job Skills Training Program on July 16, 2019. Friends, family and other supporters attended the event to watch the graduates accept their diplomas of completion.
“I always wanted to learn how to cook. Ever since I was little, I was curious,” said Christopher.
Christopher originally was on work experience assignment with NGK Ceramics in Mooresville. He did well on the job but did not see working in that filed as his career path. Centralina WDB NextGen staff next set up a work experience with the Mooresville Soup Kitchen. While in that position, Christopher heard about the Culinary Arts Training Program and decided to join.
“I learned a lot, met a lot of great people. It opened up doors for me,” added Christopher.
The Mooresville Soup Kitchen Culinary Job Training Program Director Mike Devine said since the program’s conception in May of 2018 that all ten of the program graduates have found employment upon completion. Christopher Washington is now among that number of successful, employed graduates – he is employed with The Compass Group – working at Lowe’s corporate headquarters in Mooresville!
Devine added that the program was more than just about food and Cooking 101 - he wanted the students to walk away with life skills. So, during the last semester he invited a banker to the
class to share with participants about financial health. Resume writing, communication and anger management skills have also been implemented into the program.
“It’s a broad group of people that we can work with, both people that already have jobs and those who want to advance,” said Devine.
The next Mooresville Soup Kitchen Culinary Job Training Program starts September 3, 2019 . For more information, contact Mike Devine at 704-360-8128. To learn more about Centralina WDB NextGen services, click here!
