About Fundamental Foodservice Skills

The mission of this program is to prepare students for positions in the Culinary Arts fields.

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and relevant commercial foodservice knowledge and skills needed to prepare students for further education or careers in the hospitality & tourism industry. The content includes occupation-specific hands on technical training and employability skills. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be prepared for the following entry-level positions such as: steward, prep cook, pantry cook, fry cook, banquet cook, retail and cafeteria line cook.

Program Schedule

• 600 Clock Hours | 6 Months

Program Cost

• Please refer to the Orange Technical College Student Fees, 2026–2027 (All fees are subject to change without notice)

Program Structure

Occupational Completion Points (OCPs) - The Fundamental Foodservice Skills program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of two occupational completion points. OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles. Academic skill level required to complete program: Grade 9 language, math, and reading.

Certifications and college credit

Industry Certification/Licensure

By the completion of the program, students will have taken the following certification exams from:

• Certified Food Protection Manager, ServeSafe®
• National ProStart Certificate of Achievement, ProStart (high school students only)

Optional Exam(s)

• National ProStart Certificate of Achievement (Dual Enrollment students only)

Articulation

Upon successful completion of this program, students enrolling in an A.S. degree program are eligible to be awarded articulated credits at:

Valencia College:

• Culinary Management A.S. degree – Up to 12 credits
• Hospitality & Tourism Management A.S. degree – Up to 6 credits

Where this program is offered

Fundamental Foodservice Skills is offered at South Campus:

• South Campus — 2900 W Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809 · 407.251.6000

Admissions requirements

• Two forms of ID are needed – one being a valid state of Florida photo ID or other government-issued photo ID.
• All students wishing to enroll must have completed any appropriate assessments, finished the application process, and paid for courses before their scheduled start date.
• Florida Resident: A person or, if that person is a dependent, his or her parent(s) or legal guardian must have established and maintained legal residence in Florida for at least twelve months immediately prior to qualification.
• Basic Skills Requirement: Academic skill level required to complete program: Grade 9 language, math, and reading.
• Orange Technical College uses the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) as the state approved assessment to document these academic requirements. Students can expect to take their initial assessment at the time of registration for their chosen CTE program unless otherwise exempt.

Basic Skills Exemption

Students in the following categories are exempt from the academic skills assessment:

1. Students who entered the 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard high school diploma.
2. Students with a degree at the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) level or higher.
3. Students enrolled in an apprenticeship program that is registered with the Department of Education in accordance with Chapter 446, F.S.
4. Students serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services.
5. Students who have demonstrated readiness for public postsecondary education by achieving or exceeding established test scores on the 2014 GED (RLA 145; Math 145)
6. Students who have demonstrated readiness for public postsecondary education by achieving or exceeding established test scores (scores must be no more than two years old).
   • Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT)
   • Next-Generation ACCUPLACER, The College Board
   • SAT, The College Board
   • Digital SAT, The College Board Since June 2023
   • ACT with Writing or ACT, Inc.
   • Classic Learning Test, Classic Learning Initiatives, LLC Since August 2023
7. Students who take and pass a related licensure exam identified by the Department of Education, Division of Career and Adult Education. A list of eligible licensure exams can be found at: the Florida Administrative Register.

Adult students with disabilities, as defined in Section 1004.02(7), Florida Statutes, may be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirements (Rule 6A-10.040). Students served in exceptional student education (except gifted), as defined in s.1003.01(3)(a), F.S., may also be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirement.

Paying for the program

Financial Aid is available to all prospective and currently enrolled students who qualify and enroll in an approved career training program.

There are many types of financial assistance available including federal and state grants, work-study, scholarships and veteran educational benefits. In addition, there are numerous agencies that provide assistance for educational career training to help offset educational costs.

Getting Started

• Students who wish to apply for financial aid must go online and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.
• It is recommended that the completed application be submitted a minimum of one month prior to expected enrollment date.
• Visit a Financial Aid Office at any OTC campus today. The Financial Aid Office will help you determine your eligibility for various types of assistance.

Funding Options

Financial Aid offered at the campuses consists of the:

• Title IV Federal Pell Grant
• Florida Student Assistance Grant
• Florida Work Experience Program
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
• Student Financial Aid Fund (SFAF)
• Private scholarships and assistance for targeted populations

Federal School Codes

How to enroll

Anyone interested in attending Orange Technical College is welcome to visit our website, call, or make an appointment at a local campus to begin the enrollment process, and/or obtain information from our admissions department.

• Come in and speak with a counselor about upcoming start dates for your program of interest.
• Finish the application process.
• Complete any appropriate assessments. Students can expect to take their initial assessment at the time of registration for their chosen CTE program unless otherwise exempt.
• Students with disabilities: Accommodations can be made only after the student provides the appropriate documentation to their counselor/advisor.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is recommended that the completed application be submitted a minimum of one month prior to expected enrollment date.
• New CTE career certificate-seeking and adult education students must participate in an online orientation prior to starting their first class. Contact the Admissions Office for details or check the campus website.
• Register for program with a School Counselor – pending seat availability.
• Students will receive an ID badge during their orientation to the campus.
• Pay for courses before the scheduled start date.

Conduct and accessibility

OCPS Code of Student Conduct

The dress and grooming of OCPS students contribute to the health and safety of the individual, promote a positive educational environment, and not disrupt the educational activities and processes of the school. Some programs have specific dress code requirements. Student dress code guidelines can be found in the OTC Catalog or found in the full version of the Code of Student Conduct available online.

Students with Disabilities

As Equal Access/Equal Opportunity institutions, campuses assure students with disabilities equal access to all programs, activities and services, as described in Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The decision to disclose a disability is a personal choice that every applicant may exercise.

Accommodations can be made only after the student provides the appropriate documentation to their counselor/advisor. Specialized services and counseling are provided by trained staff in the Student Services Department or Office of Admissions. This data will be kept confidential.