From Chef to Workforce Development Guru

Dr. Francis Cole, Former Regional Director, Office of Job Corps, U.S. Department of Labor (Washington DC)Dr. Francis Cole is an Executive Chef by training who learned about the U.S. Job Corps program through his employer. He volunteered through his company to help build a Culinary Arts program at Job Corps and was hooked on the idea of assisting young people to learn the culinary industry at a high level.Throughout his career, Dr. Cole refined his expertise in Business Leadership and Management. When he decided to shift from the private industry to working at Job Corps and the U.S. Department of Labor, his career journey led to him reaching a leadership role in the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. With 10 industries to pick from and countless careers to explore, Job Corps has an opportunity for anyone ready to work hard and grow. For over 60 years, Job Corps has helped thousands of students pave their path to success.Dr. Cole has operated at the forefront of thought and innovation as our nation continues working to figure out improvements in workforce development. In this interview, Dr. Cole explores his business and career philosophies that help organizations build a better program.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-s-cole-ph-d-b7498b13/