First Course NYC

First Course NYC for Businesses is a 14-week collaborative job training program designed to help meet industry demand for qualified entry-level restaurant cooks. We save restaurants valuable time and resources by:

• Recruiting, screening, and preparing trainees for entry into the workplace
• Delivering a rigorous, industry-informed culinary skills and job preparedness training before apprentices move into restaurant kitchens
• Providing direct support to apprentice and kitchen supervisory teams to encourage employee retention

Our program reimburses restaurant partners 50 percent of the training wages paid to apprentices during the initial 6 weeks of on-the-job training (up to 210 hours). This supports a longer, more comprehensive onboarding and training plan for new hires to drive greater employee success and retention.

Four training cohorts are available each year, with restaurant partners hiring program apprentices approximately every three months.

All apprentices receive their Food Protection Certificate from NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Students gain the following skills, as prioritized by program restaurant partners:

• Basic knife skills
• Correct kitchen terminology
• Proper sanitation and storage practices
• Organization and cleanliness
• Familiarity with primary cooking techniques

Our apprentices are also known for their reliability, professionalism, and time management skills.

First Course NYC apprentices work in food preparation and service-related occupations.

Our program engages with respected, full-service restaurants that can provide:

• Comprehensive training
• A quality job
• A clear career path

Professional training and work experience in a restaurant respected by the industry allow our apprentices greater career advancement opportunities.