Events
May 2010
• WorkNet Youth Virtual Job Fair
May 14-May 21, 2010
Additional Information
June 2010
• WorkNet Veterans Job Fair
June 9, 2010
PTEC-Clearwater
6100 154th Avenue N.
Clearwater, FL 33760
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September 2010
• WorkNet Pinellas Professional Mixer
September 9, 2010
Ruth Eckerd Hall
1111 N. McMullen Booth Road
Clearwater FL, 33759
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News
In celebration of National Disability Employment
Awareness Month, Andrew J. Pepin, executive administrator of the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, is
pleased to share with you the following success story:
Cooking
Up Success with Hyatt!
In Florida,
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
has been commended for their proactive approach to training, hiring and promoting
people with disabilities. Through a partnership with Florida VR and Hands on Education,
Inc., the
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
developed a two week company based culinary arts training program in June of 1998.
The program includes 100 hours of “hands on” instruction over a two week period.
The classes are limited to four students so that each person receives individualized
training and support. Students are temporary employees of Hyatt and are paid for
all hours during the training.
Hyatt’s hands on training program has expanded in
Florida
to
Orlando
,
Miami
, and
Sarasota
and recently established new programs in three Hyatt hotels in the
Washington, D.C.
area with the D.C. Rehabilitation Services Administration. Hyatt is not only helping
to train persons with disabilities, but the company hires graduates of the program
and provides references to those individuals who seek employment opportunities in
other culinary settings. Hyatt also hires people with disabilities in other areas
of the hotel such as customer service, PBX (private branch exchange phone system),
laundry and shipping/receiving. The company has served as a catalyst for hiring
in other service and tourist related businesses.
There are many Hyatt success stories where individuals have
been hired and have promoted within the company. One trainee, and now employee,
is paraplegic and works as a chef from a stand-up wheelchair. One of trainees is
a PBX operator who happens to be blind and there are several employees who are deaf
now employed as cooks in various culinary settings. A young graduate from the D.C.
program recently accepted a position as a cook with a cruise line; he wanted to
travel and is now doing so with a salary of $17.00 per hour and full room and board.
These are just a few of the many positive outcomes that transpire
when VR partners with great companies like Hyatt and community agencies such as
Hands on Education. Although the training is only two weeks in duration, the experience
and Hyatt's reputation prepares and qualifies graduates for careers in a variety
of settings. More importantly, Hyatt chefs and human resource professionals are
active partners in employment—acting as trainers and references on the behalf of
students. It is a positive learning experience for students and Hyatt staff.
To learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness
Month and read more success stories, please visit
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/deam-2009/index.html.