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Start a new career path today!

Pikes Peak Library District is offering Food Industry Training, a five-week training program that gives you the entry-level skills you need to find or advance in employment as a qualified prep cook or line cook. The program will help you learn basic culinary fundamentals, practice professionalism, explore career opportunities in the culinary industry, and earn your ServSafe Food Handler certification. Gain vital skills to help revitalize the Colorado Springs hospitality workforce and join an industry with unlimited possibilities! Starting pay rates in the Colorado Springs area range from $15 - 17 per hour depending on the position.

No previous experience is required and there is no cost to participate. Participants must intend to pursue a career in the culinary industry. Food Industry Training will be offered multiple times each year. Check back for future dates or contact us to be notified of future dates.

Class Dates: 

Mon., Mar. 25 through Fri., April 26, 2024

Click here to submit your application

• Time: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Location: Library 21c
• Address: 1175 Chapel Hills, Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920
• Applications will open later this year. Please check back for more details
• Applicants must complete a phone interview and in-person interview in order to be eligible for acceptance into the program.
• If you are officially accepted into this training program, orientation information will be sent to you.

Students must be:

• Able to attend the scheduled program
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Pursuing a career in the culinary industry
• 18 or older

What you’ll learn:

More About the Food Industry:

Wondering if this class is right for you? Learn more about the careers this training will prepare you for:

• What does a food preparation worker do? This short video walks you through what the job looks like on a day-to-day basis.
• What does a cook do? This short video walks you through what the job looks like on a day-to-day basis.
  
• Read about the wide variety of jobs in the culinary industry in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It covers training, wages, and duties.
• The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program estimates that the mean hourly wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related in Colorado in 2021 was $16.46. Average employment in 2021 was 223,030.

Any questions, please contact the Adult Education Department at (719) 531-6333, x7225 or bkegley@ppld.org.

The Junior Ranger Nature pack provides self-guided activities to encourages children and their families to get out, explore, observe, describe, and engage the senses any time during the year. Designed for ages 7-13, and align with Colorado Academic Standards for Science and Social Science. Provided and in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Parks, Trails & Open Spaces.

Click here for more information about the Junior Ranger Nature packs.

Bring your completed Junior Ranger Book to a swearing-in ceremony to take your Junior Ranger pledge and receive your Park Expert sticker/Junior Ranger badge! The ceremony will be followed by a Ranger-Guided hike.

2022 Schedule

• July 2: Red Rocks Canyon Open Space (picnic area) - 3550 W. High St.

• Aug. 6: Stratton Open Space (Ridgeway parking Lot) - 1602 Ridgeway Ave.

• Sept. 3: Bluestem Prairie Open Space (picnic area) - 6254 Goldfield Dr.

• Nov. 5: Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center - 1805 N. 30th St.

2023 Schedule

• Mar. 4: Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center - 1805 N. 30th St.

• June 3: Ute Valley Open Space - Ute Valley Trail (HP lot)

• Jul. 1: Red Rocks Canyon Open Space (picnic area) - 3550 W. High St.

• Aug. 5: Stratton Open Space (Ridgeway parking Lot) - 1602 Ridgeway Ave.

• Sept. 2: Bluestem Prairie Open Space (picnic area) - 6254 Goldfield Dr.

Try this easy experiment with the help of an adult.

Supplies and Directions:

Supplies:

• Bowl
• Large glass jar
• Plate
• 12 ice cubes
• Water
• Microwave

Directions:

1. Fill the bowl with water and heat it up in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It doesn’t have to boil. CAREFUL – the bowl will be hot.
2. Pour the water into the large glass jar and cover it with a dinner plate.
3. Let the plate-covered jar sit about a minute, then put 12 ice cubes onto the plate.
4. Watch what happens. It will rain inside the jar!