Fleming College

The Haliburton Campus of Fleming College will offer a free cook pre-apprenticeship program starting in January.The 24-week program is funded by the Government of Ontario. Fleming will help guide students into the trade by offering the in-class portion of the apprenticeship without the requirement for sponsorship by an employer.First aid and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training will be part of the in-class learning. The program also includes an eight-week work placement at local restaurants. Delta Pinestone Resort in Haliburton will offer the lab component of the program in one of its commercial kitchens.The college opted to offer the program in response to demand from local hospitality employers, which have had to recruit cooks from outside the area in the past.Pre-apprenticeship helps people who want a career in a specific skilled trade by providing the technical training necessary to enter an apprenticeship in that trade.The program is scheduled to begin in January 7, 2008 with the in-school training ending in April followed by the eight week work placement. The college is accepting registrations for the program now. It is open to anyone 16 years of age or older with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. For more information, contact Ted Brandon at 705-457-1680 or tbrandon@flemingc.on.ca