Event aims to pair Iowans with disabilities with restaurant jobs
Brian Taylor CarlsonCentral Iowa employers and workers with disabilities will gather in efforts to fill a workforce gap in the food service industry.
Narrowing the Workforce Gap will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Iowa Culinary Institute. The event will be located in Building 7 on DMACC’s Ankeny campus at 2006 S Ankeny Blvd. in Ankeny.
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“Iowans with disabilities are an untapped resource for meeting these workforce needs,” said Jane Hudson, executive director of Disability Rights Iowa, which is organizing the event.
The keynote speaker of the event will be Christine Ha, a visually-impaired chef who won the third season of the Food Network’s MasterChef program. Ha will share her experiences about why food service can be an exciting career for individuals with disabilities and how they can overcome perceived barriers to employment.
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A recent report by Central Iowa Works, “Preparing for Partnership,” indicated that central Iowa restaurant owners and other food industry employers will need 14 percent more workers in the next 10 years. Iowans with disabilities can fill this workforce gap, and help fill jobs ranging from dishwashers to chefs.
The cost is $15 per plate. Registration is available online at narrowingthegap.eventbrite.com or by contacting Anne Matte at amatte@driowa.org or 515-278-2502 extension 34. A limited number of subsidized tickets can also be reserved in the same manner.
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The event is sponsored by Disability Rights Iowa, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Workforce Development, and the Iowa Restaurant Association.