Through a customized training grant from the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the New Jersey Restaurant Association has trained almost 4000 people in 30 months. The training in “in-demand skills” that are awarded an industry recognized certificate covers ServSafe Foodsafety, ServSafe Responsible Alcohol Service, Guest Loyalty and More Americanized Pronunciation for Spanish Speakers. “During this challenging economy, we are able to offer workers a credential that can help them move up the career ladder, increase their wages and in a tough economy, have the competitive edge to retain their jobs,” commented Deborah Dowdell, president of the NJ Restaurant Association. And, according to grant-writer, John Avella of EQ International and a consultant to the NJ Restaurant Educational Foundation, “because our courses are structured as ‘train-the-trainer’, there is a forced multiplier effect with those taking the class and qualifying being able to train their employees in these key areas.” 17% of the classes are taught in Spanish. According to Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development, Dave Socolow, “the most effective form of training is 'incumbent training' and small businesses who opt to train their employees are enlightened employers.” NJRA presented Commissioner Socolow with an honorary Gold Plate Award recognizing his commitment to training the front line workers in NJ’s foodservice industry, the State’s largest private sector employer. Foodsafety training becomes mandatory at the end of 2009 with the State of NJ establishing a minimum requirement to have one person trained per restaurant. The grant allows NJRA to train its members for free in the various courses while supplies last. To register for a training class or to host a class at your establishment call Alicia Papp at 800.848.6368. To view the schedule of classes which is updated daily, visit www.njra.org and click on calendar.