Thrilled to share that MNA has secured a new contract with Coast Community College District to evaluate Culinary Futures — a bold regional workforce initiative in Orange County, California.
Coast CCD received a grant through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative Catalyst Program, administered by the Orange County Business Council, to launch Culinary Futures — a coordinated effort to strengthen workforce development in the region’s food services and restaurant industry.
The initiative addresses persistent labor shortages by connecting education, industry, and community through:
- Paid internships
- Ongoing mentorship support
- Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
- Faculty and student stipends
- Integration of an online resource hub
- Exploration of scalable apprenticeship models
- Partnerships with restaurant associations
- Living wage strategies to promote quality career pathways
Just as important, the project is committed to documenting outcomes and building evidence to guide future investment and regional expansion — and that’s where MNA comes in.
We’ll be supporting a focused, high-value evaluation that examines planning, implementation, student, and employer outcomes, and regional data systems (including Credit for Work Experience tracking) to help Coast and its partners make informed decisions moving forward.
Grateful to Lara Smith, Stephanie Feger, and the Coast leadership team for the opportunity. Excited to contribute to work that strengthens pathways to living-wage careers and builds a more coordinated regional talent ecosystem.
Stay tuned for updates!
