Los Angeles VA Vocational Rehabilitation Food Services Training Program Provides Path to VA Employment for Veterans
Veteran appreciates the opportunity to receive training and job placement through VA Greater Los Angeles.
Going to a job where you are contributing to the health of Veterans is one of several reasons that Oji Nuri enjoys working in the sanitation area of the VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) kitchen.
“I’ve received training to correctly sanitize trays, plates, and utensils and learned other skills that pertain to the health and welfare of Veterans,” said Nuri. “By having a sanitary environment, we are making sure that all Veterans who are in the hospital and other locations [throughout GLA] receive healthy food.”
“I am grateful to VA employment services and Food Services for helping me get this job, and I appreciate their support so that I can do my job well. I hope to continue working at my current job and, possibly, other culinary positions,” said Oji, who graduated with a certificate in culinary arts in 2019.
“This success story highlights our efforts to create resources, relationships, and partnerships within the community to develop employment opportunities for our Veterans. We simply couldn’t do it without their support,” P.J. Stigers, section chief, VA GLA Healthcare System Vocational Rehabilitation.
Like Oji, several Veterans are working or in the process of being hired by the Food Services Department at GLA thanks to the Food Services Training Program. Facilitated through the Vocational Rehabilitation Service, the program provides a comprehensive range of biopsychosocial rehabilitation services to inpatients and outpatients with impairments, disabilities, and handicaps resulting from psychiatric, addiction, homelessness, and medical disorders. These services and programs include core vocational rehabilitation assessment and case management services, work therapy, supported employment, and supportive programs for the seriously mentally ill and chronically homeless.
The Food Services Training Program launched in July 2021 when Food Services personnel connected with VA Vocational Rehabilitation to share information about direct hiring opportunities and offered to hold a one-week food safety training for any interested Veterans. The training course typically includes information about foodborne illnesses, personal hygiene guidelines, and food contamination prevention.
To make the training possible, VA Vocational Rehabilitation partnered with the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) West Adams WorkSource Center who facilitated and funded the short-term vocational training certification and skills development workshop. “We are happy to partner with the VA's Vocational Rehab Program in helping Veterans receive training in food service to gain employment. The Veterans that have participated are very excited to obtain certification in food handling and safety. These partnerships are instrumental in the provision of quality and timely services to our nation's Heroes,” said Lewis Louis, AADAP Program Coordinator.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation supports the Veterans throughout the hiring process by helping qualified job prospects complete and submit applications, secure the information they need, and receive extensions to complete required paperwork.
“We do our best to help Veterans be successful throughout the hiring process,” said Amalya Anneyan, VA Vocational Rehabilitation specialist. “It’s well worth taking the time to support our Veterans and, at the same time, fill available job positions.”
Terri Verone, assistant chief of Nutrition & Food Services, agreed, “We're thankful to have Oji as part of our team and to the VA for helping to recruit great workers. It’s a wonderful partnership that is helping us hire Veterans for hard-to-fill positions.”
Oji’s supervisor, Steve Jackson, encourages Oji and Veteran colleagues to pursue more advanced positions within the VA. “Oji is a wonderful addition to our team,” said Jackson. “He is hard working and always on time.”
Jackson himself started working for the VA in a Food Services entry level position and has received several promotions within five to six years, including his current position as site supervisor of the Sanitation Department.
If you are a Veteran or know someone who would like more information about this food services training, please call 310-478-3711, extension 43472.