To shape the future of the hospitality industry in North Carolina, the foundation oversees the ProStart® program. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.
ProStart is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. The program reaches approximately 165 thousand students in over 1,800 schools in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and the Territory of Guam. Over the past 23 years, more than 1 million students have participated in ProStart.
ProStart is taught with a two-level curriculum that:
- Integrates practical skill sets
- Allows students to become familiar with restaurants and foodservice
- Exposes students to innovative career opportunities
- Provides tools and skills needed to become a successful industry leader
An Industry-Driven Program to Develop Industry Leaders
ProStart students finish the program ready to join the workforce and make an immediate impact in restaurants and foodservice. ProStart students are closely connected to industry experts through guest speakers, class mentors, tours of local facilities, hosting student competitions, and more – all to ensure real-world experience is brought directly to the classroom.
Work and Learn
While classroom experience is necessary to learn the foundational culinary and management skills, nothing beats real-life experience gained by working in the industry. ProStart students learn how to be an industry professional through hands-on work under the direction of a mentor. Mentors help students make the connection between their present performance and their future career. Students also learn the importance of arriving on time prepared for work, teamwork and accountability.
For more information about the North Carolina ProStart program, please contact us. For more information about the National ProStart program, click here.
