Job Training Programs at CFBNJ
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey offers no-cost job training programs to provide students with the professional and interpersonal skills they need to earn a livable wage.
This program has no out-of-pocket cost to students, as grants through the New Jersey Department of Labor and private scholarships are available for those who qualify. We offer students monthly 2-zone bus passes or gas checks in the amount of $78 per month to cover expenses of coming to our warehouse in Hillside.
Requirements for CFBNJ Job Training Programs
Valid New Jersey driver’s license or non-driver ID
Social Security Card
High school diploma, GED or college transcript
See CFBNJ’s Job Training Program in Action
Food Service Training Academy – Eli’s Inspiring Story
Learn More About CFBNJ’s Job Training Programs
Culinary Job
Training Program
- CFBNJ’s Food Service Training Academy (FSTA), established in 2000, is an intensive cooking school and life skills program.
- Our no-cost cooking school is a 14-week program that operates from Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4PM.
- FSTA graduates secure their ServSafe® Certification by participating in this career training program, which equips graduates with vital skills for gaining employment in the restaurant industry.
- Students train in a state-of-the-art, fully-equipped commercial kitchen where they make healthy meals for thousands of food-insecure children.
- Graduates have been hired at Atlantic Health System, United Airlines, The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and Wonder.
CFBNJ Culinary Program Start Dates
- October 7, 2024
-
February 10, 2025
“I’m trying to develop myself into a better person than I was before. I loved the experience of being able to feed kids in need. It encourages you to do more for the community.”
Valerie, FSTA 2023 graduate.
“I got more experience and knowledge of the warehouse in the program,” he said. “I learned leadership, innovation, and problem solving that I use now as an employee.”
Fednel, WLTA 2023 graduate
Warehouse Job
Training Program
- CFBNJ’s Warehouse Logistics Training Academy (WLTA) program is an 8-week warehouse job training program that operates Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4PM.
- This partnership with New Jersey’s Department of Labor teaches students inventory management, compliance, purchasing, warehouse fulfillment and transportation safety.
- Students who complete the training will receive their Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification and forklift certification.
CFBNJ Warehouse Logistics Training Academy Start Dates
- September 2, 2024
- November 4, 2024
Our Workforce Development programs are possible due to support from ADP Foundation, The Ardise Family, Blue Cross Blue Shield (via Feeding America), Citizens Bank Foundation, Deloitte, Richard and Maureen Johnson, NUDOL-SNAP STEPS, Kevin and Brigid O’Brien, Prudential Foundation, Santander Bank, N.A., ShopRite LPGA Classic, Target Corporation, TD Bank Charitable Foundation and John and Jane Tomaine.
For Prospective Students and Employers
How Do I Qualify?
In order to be admitted into the FSTA and WLTA programs, students must:
- Have earned a High School Diploma, or GED or have passed the CASAS exam.
- Show proof of eligibility to work with a proper ID (such as a driver’s license) and a social security card.
- Have a desire to succeed.
What Will I Learn?
By the end of 14 weeks in our Food Service Training Academy, you will:
- Know basic cooking terms.
- Be familiar with kitchen equipment and tools.
- Have had hands-on practice in fundamental cooking.
- Know how to use cooking equipment found in hospitals, restaurants, cafeterias and industrial kitchens.
- Earn the ServSafe® Food Protection Management Certificate administered by the National Restaurant Association.
- Learn what is needed to start a new career in the food service industry.
By the end of 8 weeks in our Warehouse Leadership Training Academy, you will:
- Know basic warehouse terms.
- Know safety guidelines in a warehouse setting.
- Be able to operate commonly used powered industrial trucks (PIT) such as forklifts, reach trucks, and rider pallet jacks.
- Know how to utilize inventory management systems to perform QC and inventory checks pf warehouse inventory.
- Earn the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification administered by a certified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt.
- Learn interviewing and leadership skills used by prospective company leaders for companies such as Amazon.
What Does It Cost?
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey offers full scholarships to all students accepted into the program.
Who Are The Students?
People who join our Workforce Development programs are individuals looking for a new set of skills and career path. Some students are referred by social-service agencies, halfway houses or welfare-to-work programs.
Who Are The Teachers?
Under the guidance of Dr. Elaine Sanders, we employ classically trained chefs who oversee instruction in both our commercial kitchen and classroom settings.
Currently, the instructor for the WLTA is a former Training Supervisor for companies such as Amazon and US Foods and with years of educational and leadership experience.
What Are The Job Prospects After?
Many of the academy’s graduates get entry-level jobs with restaurants, caterers or corporate dining services. Our employment placement rates are much higher than other food-service training programs. WLTA graduates obtain entry-level positions for companies such as Wakefern, PFG, or our very own CFBNJ Warehouse.
Culinary beginners often work as entry level cooks. Some graduates are able to start in a higher paying position as a cook or chef who are positioned to advance into executive chef or supervisory and management positions. Job openings for these positions are expected to be plentiful in the foreseeable future.
Students who complete the WLTA program have the advantage against other applicants when securing entry-level warehouse positions: most companies that utilize Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) prefer to hire individuals with PIT experience in an effort to reduce training costs and ensure a safe work environment.
Our staff works with both current students and graduates to secure employment or post-secondary education. Students receive assistance with resume writing, interviewing skills, job placement counseling and networking opportunities.
Why Should You Hire A CFBNJ Workforce Development Graduate?
We train for careers in the food service and warehouse industries.
Our FSTA trainers are professional chefs who have spent years in the industry. Our students have over 500 hours of commercial kitchen experience and job skills training.
For the WLTA program, we do not just train warehouse workers. We train potential warehouse leaders who will have the ability to lead any company they represent to success. Our trainers have years of extensive experience training warehouse associates, PIT Drivers, Warehouse Supervisors, and Warehouse Managers.
What’s the Profile of a CFBNJ Workforce Development Graduate?
In addition to being trained in the essential skills required for culinary or warehouse success, we are proud that each of our students graduates with a tangible skill set to use in the workforce.
FSTA graduates get:
- ServSafe® training and certification.
- An understanding of team dynamics.
- Developed emotional intelligence.
- The rigorous program and work required of our students make them great candidates for entry-level positions in the culinary industry where they will demonstrate their skills. Students prepare 12,000 meals per week while in training as industry professionals.
WLTA graduates get:
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification.
- Developed emotional intelligence.
- The ability to safely operate commonly used warehouse PIT and, thus, gain an advantage in the application process.
- Under the guidance of Dr. Elaine Sanders, we employ experienced Warehouse Trainers and Training Supervisors with extensive experience with companies such as Amazon and USFoods.
Contact Our Job Training Team
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