20 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Fall 2022 EDUCATION & TRAINING ProStart Update Preparations are underway for the 9th annual Pennsylvania ProStart Student Invitational, which takes place on March 1 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in State College. Dozens of students from around the Commonwealth are vying for top honors in the culinary, management, and—for the first time—cake decorating categories. First-place teams will go on to represent Pennsylvania at the National ProStart Student Invitational in May in Washington, D.C. There are several opportunities for you to get involved in the state competition. • Sponsorships: Financial support helps us produce a unique experience for the students. It also helps us offset expenses so that we can direct more funds back into the program throughout the year, such as coordinating field trips and speakers. Sponsoring ProStart is an exciting opportunity for you to connect with the future of the industry and enhance their educational experiences. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. • Exhibiting: Are you struggling to fill open positions? Consider attending the PA ProStart Student Invitational as an exhibitor to showcase your business to the educators and students competing and spectating at the event. Engage with potential employees who are already learning about the skills they will need to have success in our industry. Sign up to exhibit here. • Volunteer: An event like PAPSI takes an army of volunteers to ensure success. Consider giving a few hours of your day to help on March 1. The creativity and passion on display will leave you energized about the future of the industry. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact Hope Sterner at hsterner@prla.org or (717) 963-8368. • Attend: If you are curious to see what the future holds, we encourage you to attend PAPSI 2023. It’s free to walk the floor or sit-in on management presentations. Stay for lunch for $25 to see which teams will represent Pennsylvania on the national stage. ProStart is a nationally accredited two-year program for high school students to create the next generation of hospitality industry leaders. With programs that garner skills ranging from culinary technique to management abilities, ProStart’s curriculum offers real-life experience opportunities and creates a foundation of useful skills that last a lifetime. ProStart aims to serve all communities, including rural, inner-city, and Department of Defense institutions globally. Taken as an elective track offered in high school and technical and vocational centers, ProStart teaches all facets of the industry, with educators ranging from family and consumer science educators to former professional chefs.
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