DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE

Whether continuing in a familiar profession or looking to start a new career Workforce1 has the tools you need to reach your goals. Just ask New Yorker, Diann Woodward. Diann worked for 20 years as a bookkeeper, but after she lost her job she had trouble finding employment because she had never been certified in the bookkeeping trade. Unemployed for over a year and with no job prospects in sight, Diann approached a Workforce1 Career Center. Recognizing her extensive work experience Workforce1 Career Advisors encouraged Diann to take part in a restaurant training initiative for a new eatery opening in Harlem, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

Staff at the Upper Manhattan Workforce1 Career Center met with Dinosaur Bar-B-Que owner John Stage well in advance of the restaurant’s opening to identify his criteria for employees. Based on this information, jobseekers were invited to participate in an interactive restaurant training taught by Stephen Lin, a longtime restaurant owner in Harlem. The three workshops provided jobseekers with insider tips on the restaurant industry, and hands-on practice of necessary skills like serving, clearing tables, and taking orders.

Fifty people excelled at the training and the Upper Manhattan Workforce1 Career Center arranged for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que owner John Stage to come to the Center for the interviews. "Having applicants pre-screened and ready-to-go makes your life easier," commented Stage who offered 46 applicants full-time employment. Stage was so satisfied with the workers that Workforce1 sent him he did not put any advertisements in local newspapers announcing job openings.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que opened for business in December 2004 and hiring for the restaurant went without a hitch as 50% of the staff came fresh out of the ranks of the Workforce1 restaurant training program.

Diann Woodward is now employed as a Hostess at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que while she continues to work toward her certification as a bookkeeper. Of her experience with Workforce1 and the Restaurant Initiative Diann states, "We had a ball…I didn’t have restaurant experience, but the trainer made me feel comfortable and at ease because he told us about his own experiences…The communication skills that I gained help me everyday."