VGCC To Offer Culinary Technology Program
Vance-Granville Community College is responding to a professed need of the communities it serves by offering a Culinary Technology program, beginning this fall, utilizing cafeteria facilities at The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford.
Graduates of the two-year Culinary program will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree and will be trained for work in restaurants, hotels, catering operations, health care facilities, school food service and other food service operations.
The program will also provide an opportunity for students who have completed culinary and food service programs in area high schools to continue their education and earn an associate degree. Food service classes are offered in all four counties served by VGCC – Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin – and career technical education directors in area school systems have long suggested that the college offer the degree program, said Marsha Nelson, VGCC’s Vice President of Instruction.
“Hospitals, nursing homes and retirement centers in the area with large cafeterias have also expressed an interest in acquiring the type of trained personnel the program will turn out,” said Nelson.
To earn the associate degree, students must complete general education courses such as English, sociology, math, psychology and humanities, and they may take these on any of the college’s campuses in which they are offered.
In a public/ private partnership, Vance-Granville is working with The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford to offer the culinary program in the Home’s kitchen and dining room facilities.
“Culinary Technology students will learn by doing,” Nelson said. “They will participate in practical education training that translates classroom learning into real-life experience. Opportunities include hands-on training in the state-of-the-art kitchen at The Masonic Home for Children.
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Students in the Culinary Technology program will also receive co-operative education experience in area food service operations.
VGCC President Randy Parker said the Culinary Technology program fits very well with the college’s educational philosophy. “Today’s employers want employees who will be successful in tomorrow’s economy,” he said. “At Vance-Granville Community College, we will prepare our student to be effective culinary leaders as well as responsible citizens.
In a feasibility study for the program, area employees indicated a job demand of 150 jobs for first-year graduates and approximately 200 jobs for the following class of graduates. These projected job numbers reflect the growing need for culinary technicians in a four-county service area. Starting salaries for graduates are projected in the range of $18,000 to $24,000.
“By integrating the specialized culinary skills of preparation, management and service with workforce demands of critical thinking, clear communication, business ethics and teamwork skills, well-rounded culinary professionals will be developed,” he said.
Chris Richardson, Director of Financial Development at The Masonic Home said, “Our Home is excited about collaborating with Vance-Granville Community College.” Mr. Richardson also said the Home is looking forward to the possibilities the Culinary Technology Program may provide residents of the Home’s forthcoming Preparation for Adult Living Program, tentatively scheduled to kick off this fall. The Preparation for Adult Living Program will be in addition to the Home’s residential program, which continues today and has provided 134 years of service to the children of North Carolina.
Parker added that he is delighted with the opportunity to partner with the Masonic Home to offer this needed education and training for the citizens of the four-county area who will take advantage of this program.
