Training Opportunities
Registration for training classes is based on meeting required qualifications. Approval of food service manager and/or region food service supervisor may be needed prior to scheduling. Class sizes are limited. Click on each box for more information.
Employee Training Programs
New Employee Orientation (NEO)
Course Description: Comprehensive training required for newly hired employees prior to working in M-DCPS food service. This class is designed to get employees acclimated to their new working environment and provide the foundation for their first day as a food service employee. Topics include customer service, safety and sanitation, HACCP, personal hygiene and uniform standards. The orientation also includes mandatory Civil Rights Compliance and Food Protection Practices training, and two-hour hands-on training on the operation of the electronic Point-of-Sale (POS) system. Class is a five (5) hour mandatory for newly hired food service employees.
Minimum Qualifications: Newly hired P/T M-DCPS Food and Nutrition employee.
Registration: Automatic once hired as a M-DCPS food service employee.
If you have any questions, contact: Barbara Cardenas at (786) 275-0473
Food Service 2.0
Course Description: A supplementary training opportunity for recently hired and current employees that can benefit from a refresher of basic food service principles in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This is an in-depth look at the food service operation within M-DCPS cafeterias. Topics include preparation of recipes, kitchen tours, Health Department Inspection Guidelines, teamwork, sanitation, and the importance of customer service and time management. Class is a four (4) hour session.
Minimum Qualifications: Currently a P/T M-DCPS Food and Nutrition employee.
Registration: Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will email the Food and Nutrition Human Resources office to request training for employees. The email request must include employee name, employee number, school name and work location number. The Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will receive a reply confirming the date and time the employee is scheduled to attend the training.
If you have any questions, contact: Barbara Cardenas at (786) 275-0473
Point-of-Sale (POS / Cashier)
Course Description: A class at the Department of Food & Nutrition that provides employees with two-hour hands-on training in the operation of the electronic Point of Sale (POS) system. The goal of the training is to explain and demonstrate the cashier’s responsibilities. Topics include description of what constitutes a reimbursable meal, Offer vs Serve, how to process student and adult transactions, ways to avoid overt identification, etc. Interactive activities are incorporated throughout the class and at the end of the session there is a final review. Class is a two (2) hour session.
Minimum Qualifications:
o Basic English language skills
o Currently a P/T M-DCPS Food and Nutrition employee
o Some knowledge of POS operation preferred
Registration: Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will email the Help Desk (Jenny Pierre Louis at jpierrelouis@dadeschools.net or Caridad Pando at c8pando@dadeschools.net) requesting the training for employees. The email must include employee name, employee number, school name and work location number. The Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will receive a reply confirming the date and time the employee is scheduled to attend the training.
If you have any questions, contact: Jenny Pierre Louis at (786) 275-0417 or Caridad Pando at (786) 275-0415
Food Production (Cooks & Bakers)
Course Description: Students will learn the principles of quantity food preparation through hands-on training, in the Food and Nutrition Test Kitchen, while under the supervision of a Food and Nutrition Administrator in actual work situations. Students will be assigned tasks to perform while working in the Test Kitchen. Course is
approximately 8 weeks, one day per week onsite at Food and Nutrition.
Minimum Qualifications:
o Currently a P/T M-DCPS Food and Nutrition employee.
o Valid High School Diploma or GED equivalent
o Valid Florida Driver’s license is required
Registration: Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will email request to Food and Menu Management via email to ddrummond@dadeschools.net The email request must include employee name, employee number, school name and work location number. The Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will receive a reply confirming the date and time the employee is scheduled to attend the training.
If you have any questions, contact: Connie Monteagudo at (786) 275-0451
Food Ordering
Course Description: A class at the Department of Food & Nutrition that provides employees with a two-hour overview of the various functions of the TrakNow system. Topics include ordering of food, paper goods and supplies; menu forecasting; receiving, inventory; transfers, etc. Class is a two (2) hour session.
Minimum Qualifications:
o Basic English language skills
o Currently a P/T M-DCPS Food and Nutrition employee
Registration: Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will email the Help Desk (Jenny Pierre Louis at jpierrelouis@dadeschools.net or Caridad Pando at c8pando@dadeschools.net) requesting the training for employees. The email must include employee name, employee number, school name and work location number. The Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will receive a reply confirming the date and time the employee is scheduled to attend the training.
If you have any questions, contact: Caridad Pando at (786) 275-0415 or Jenny Pierre Louis at (786) 275-0417
Food Service Manager
Course Description: A comprehensive training program designed to prepare student interns for the position of School Food Service Manager. The content includes, but is not limited to, application of the principles of food service management; on-the-job training at assigned school sites; classroom instruction, assignments, and projects. Practical daily experience and hands-on activities are conducted under the direction of selected training Food Service Managers, with additional skill development provided at alternate training locations. Training sessions are approximately 16 weeks.
Minimum Qualifications:
o Valid High School Diploma or GED equivalent
o Three (3) years of food service experience (excludes catering)
o Valid Florida Driver’s license is required
o Must have the ability to read, write and understand written instructions and communicate effectively
Registration: Interested employees may submit an application packet during the application period (designated deadline dates and program session information are
posted through district internal emails). All eligible applicants must participate in the interview process.
If you have any questions, contact: Barbara Cardenas at (786) 275-0473
Satellite Assistant Boot Camp
Course Description: A supplementary opportunity for recently hired or current satellite assistants that can benefit from a refresher of basic food service principles in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This is an in-depth look at the food service operation within M-DCPS cafeterias. Topics include preparation of recipes, kitchens tours, Health Department Inspection Guidelines, teamwork, sanitation, and the importance of customer service and time management. The course also includes an introduction to TrakNow (menu planning, ordering, receiving, production records, inventory, paper goods usage, transfers, etc). The class is an eight (8) hour session.
Minimum Qualifications: Currently a Satellite Assistant
Registration: Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will email the Food and Nutrition Human Resources office to request training for the employee. The email request must include employee name, employee number, school name and work location number. The Food Service Manager or Food and Nutrition Supervisor will receive a reply confirming the date and time the employee is scheduled to attend the training.
If you have any questions, contact: Barbara Cardenas at (786) 275-0473
TrakNow
Course Description: A two-day course at the Department of Food and Nutrition that provides Food Service Managers/Satellite Assistants/Assistant Managers with in-depth and hands-on training in the operation of TrakNow. Topics include menu planning, ordering, receiving, production records, inventory, paper goods usage, transfers, etc.
Minimum Qualifications: Currently an M-DCPS Food Service Manager, Satellite Assistant or Assistant Manager.
If you have any questions, contact: Milagros Alvarez-Ferrer at (786) 275-0433
