Visit CACareerZone.org for additional information on food service occupations including:
- videos
- wage information
- employment outlook
Food Services
Description
Wage Data and Employment Outlook
Goals and Certificates
Prerequisites and Required Assessments
Training Providers
How to Get Started
Find a Job
Description
Both Tulare Adult School and COS offer certifications in food services.
Tulare Adult Schools offers a culinary arts certificate. This program prepares students for a career in food services. The course includes five certificate classes in basic cooking principles; sanitation, safety and knife skills; food prep and presentation; baking and pastry; garde manger (pantry chef).
COS offers three levels of certification in food services: basic, intermediate and advanced.
Students completing the Skill Certificate in Food Services, Basic, will acquire decision-making skills and judgment to serve customers in eating places. They will acquire the ability to clean and organize eating areas, to prepare simple food and beverages, to cook or reheat food items, and to follow food safety and sanitation procedures. This skill certificate requires completing 8 certificate units. Click here for more information on course requirements.
Students completing this Skill Certificate in Food Services, Intermediate, will acquire time management and critical thinking skills to perform simple food preparation, plan work so food items are prepared and served together, complete food orders for steam tables, and follow proper food safety and sanitation procedures. Students must complete 14 units. Click here for more information on course requirements.
This Certificate of Achievement in Food Services, Advanced, prepares students for entry-level employment in the field of Food Services with advanced skills. Students will acquire time management and critical thinking skills, the ability to prepare bakery, fresh and cooked food items, to follow food safety and sanitation procedures, to comply and maintain records for food use and expenditures, to direct activities of assistant workers in preparation and service of food items, and to train new employees. Students must complete 21 units. Click here for more information on course requirements.
The food services programs prepare students for jobs in hotel catering, in restaurant kitchens, in cafeterias for schools or hospitals or assisted living facilities. Career advancement comes with learning additional skills and gaining on-the-job experience.
Wage Data and Employment Outlook
Below is wage data and employment outlook information for one possible occupation with this pathway. Click here to visit ONET for additional occupations in food services.
Median Earnings* for Chefs and Head Cooks in the Central Valley Median income is the amount that divides the income distribution into two equal groups. This means half of the jobs for this occupation pay more than this amount and half pay less than this amount. |
$16.87/hour |
Employment Outlook* in the Central Valley Employment Outlook numbers represent current employment information in the Central Valley of California. The 2016 total number of jobs is the number of individuals employed in this occupation in 2016. The 2020 estimated number of jobs is the estimated number of individuals that will be employed in this occupation in 2020. Expected Growth is the increase in the number of individuals expected to be employed in this occupation and is shown as a total number and a percent increase. The average annual growth rate is the rate at which, on average, the total number of jobs will increase each year. |
Projected number of annual openings in CV: 3 2016 Total Number of Jobs in CV: 662020 Estimated Number Jobs in CV: 75 Expected Growth 2015 to 2020: Increase of 10 jobs, or 15% |
Goals and Certificates
For Tulare Adult School
- Students completing this course will earn a certificate in Culinary Arts and will have the opportunity to take the ServSafe Food Safety Manager exam.
For COS
- Skill Certificate in Food Services, Basic Skills
- Skill Certificate in Food Services, Intermediate Skills
- Certificate of Achievement in Food Services, Advanced Skills
Prerequisites and Required Assessments
For Tulare Adult School Program:
- While a high school diploma or equivalent is not required to enroll in the Culinary Arts program, it is encouraged. Many employers in food service—especially those in health care facilities or with corporate chains—require a high school diploma or equivalent for employment.
- Basic English communication skills.
For COS
- While a high school diploma or equivalent is not required to enroll in the Food Services program, it is encouraged. Many employers in food service—especially those in health care facilities or with corporate chains—require a high school diploma or equivalent for employment.
Training Providers
- Tulare Adult School - CLICK HERE for more information on the Tulare Adult School Culinary Arts program
- COS - CLICK HERE for more information on the COS Food Services program
For information on training providers outside of the local area CLICK HERE.
How to Get Started
- Choose a training provider.
- Contact provider for testing, registration, and details on prerequisites.
Find a Job
1. FIND LOCAL FOOD SERVICE JOB POSTINGS
2. Click Here for FOOD SERVICE JOB OPPORTUNITIES on the SAEC website
