Creating Classes That Help Military Veterans

While managing IFSEA, Ed Manley negotiated the right to a management exam from another large association, a 200 question exam that became known as the "holy crap" test, very difficult. Determining that most people couldn't pass the exam without training, Ed put together a training program and book, and began traveling to military bases to provide the missing knowledge. 4000 people and 11000 certifications later, the Foodservice Institute continues that work. Ed recognized the need for food safety and HACCP training as well, and so the training was for 4 days and those 3 subjects.

In 2010, Ed partnered with a university to create the Global Foodservice Institute (GFI) which owns 7 of the 9 certifications offered. For the others, we use a test from the National Restaurant Association for alcohol service and one from Prometric for food safety. Having chaired a DOL project for what you need to "know, be and do" to work in various aspects of our industry, Ed and the teams from the college and Pearson Education, 4 educational classes were added, plus the final exam, MCFBD which tests the retention of knowledge from all the classes.

Many people use their GI Bill, others get corporate or command sponsorship among other funding sources. Informing Ed's ability to create this program was the DOL Skill Standards for Hospitality and Tourism, a B. S. from the top hotel school in the world, Cornell, a Master's Degree, 20 years of health care food service management, as well as his 21 year Navy career and then managing IFSEA for 18 years, which brought him into contact with thousands of military personnel. The material we cover is civilian, thus it is relevant for civilians and military, we have just chosen to focus our core on military.

Ed Manley teaches homeless veterans the same hospitality courses that he taught to the personnel that serve the President, and he holds a master's degree in management. For Edward Manley's CV, please click here.

The late Dr. Johnson Speaks On Validating Our Certifications

"Providing certifications from the Global Foodservice Institute, GFI certifications work no matter your rank, or your current job. You might be in avionics, but seek a foodservice career in civilian life. Our students are like rainbows, they come in all colors, sizes but have a similar desire, to better their chances at success."

Dr. Joan Johnson, a professor for 30 years, with a strong corporate background prior to that. Dr. Johnson, Executive Director of GFI, was instrumental in building the certification exams, and she answers questions about certification reviews, how much you can learn in a day, what employers can expect, and which ones value certifications. This may help you decide for yourself what your available and then best options are to build your career.  

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