We’ve asked our partner programs to share with us how they are supporting individuals with unique abilities. Below, CareerSource Palm Beach County tells us about their hospitality program that works to provide these individuals with career and financial opportunities. 

The hospitality industry is Palm Beach County’s largest employer. There has become a higher demand for talent in this industry for the fall and winter seasons as compared to last year. For CareerSource Palm Beach County, this means hundreds of job orders for various positions for our team of hospitality recruiters to fill.

Due to the importance of the hospitality industry to our country, outreach, training and recruiting efforts to fill these positions is extensive. This August, we developed and launched a new program – the first ever in the nation – that expands on the efforts to build the local talent pipeline for hospitality employers in a unique way. The program works to include students with unique abilities, those that are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

The 10-week course works to train and place persons with unique abilities in rewarding hospitality careers through classroom instruction and on-site training. The first class of 10 students graduated in October with professional certifications from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

The new program will add to other existing hospitality training and placement programs, including:

• The partnership with Palm Beach County School District that will place students in hospitality/culinary career academies into jobs at area country clubs/hotels.
• The Summer Youth Hospitality Program to train and place youth and young adults ages 17 – 24 into rewarding hospitality careers.
• Hospitality degree programs with Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University.

The next Hospitality Program of the Palm Beaches class is expected to start spring 2017. All programs have the same goal – to give candidates a competitive edge to stand out from other applicants and to help meet the need for qualified hospitality employees.  

The Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program recognizes businesses that are committed to providing career and financial opportunities to individuals with unique abilities and to assisting organizations that support them. For more information on how to join the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program, please click here.