“In2Work” Graduates Encouraged to Make Good Choices

Twelve RiCI offenders were recognized as the most recent graduates of the “In2Work” program at Richland Correctional. Family members, Aramark employees and RiCI staff congratulated these graduates on their accomplishment.

The Aramark/ODRC “In2Work” program has created opportunities for program participants to develop food service and culinary skills. The “In2Work” program was designed to provide offenders with food service training and practical work experience.

This was the third graduating class at RiCI. The graduates were encouraged by to continue making good choices going forward.

Using the skills and knowledge gained through the program, participants develop job skills to become more employable upon their return to the community. The program is a multiphase program designed to establish skill development training for inmates through an on the job training system. The “In2Work” program focuses on broad transferable food service skills as well as the comprehension and demonstration of key food service operations. The training includes formal vocational training in both the classroom and the kitchen, to include “hands-on” work experience. The graduates also are able to obtain a Serve-Safe certificate.

The benefits of the program go beyond the formal graduation, as the former students are now able to apply for scholarships through Aramark to assist them in furthering their education, and could potentially obtain employment from Aramark in any of Aramark’s business lines that employ former offenders.

Currently the program is offered by Aramark in over twenty Ohio-based correctional facilities. The program itself takes approximately six months to complete. The next class of students at RiCI will commence later this Spring.