Participants
Underemployed and unemployed residents of Boston and the surrounding areas



NECAT’s Culinary Arts Job Training Program helps students achieve personal transformation, long-term employment and economic self-sufficiency. We utilize a holistic 14-week training curriculum focused equally on culinary, social/emotional learning (SEL), job readiness and financial skill development. We also take a number of steps to ensure that, once employed, students have the skills and support to retain their positions and advance in their fields.
Our career services team prepares students for the challenges that lie ahead, particularly through the often-challenging transition out of NECAT and into employment. Our team remains available to graduates for ongoing coaching and future employment needs. Currently, we track 30-day and 3-month job retention, with the goal of expanding to 6-month in near future. We work to maintain communication and strong relationships with both graduates and hiring employers.
NECAT is launching a dedicated Career Center with staff to provide post-program support for its graduates. The goal is to communicate with and support in any way necessary alumni during the transition to work and with their employment supervisors through the first 3-6 months of employment.
Underemployed and unemployed residents of Boston and the surrounding areas
English
30
14 weeks
Yes
Next start: January 7, 2026
Applications accepted through Monday, January 5th.
| Hours | Activity Type | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00am-3:00pm | Training and Job Search | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Information sessions are conducted every Tuesday 9:30AM or by appointment
Closed for all major holidays
CORI check | SORI check | High school diploma/GED/HiSET | Must be legally able to work in the United States | Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
Yes
Serv Safe | NECAT certificate of completion | Employment/Promotion | Industry skills gain
| Participant Support Category | All participants | As needed |
|---|---|---|
| DTA SNAP Child Care Referral | ✓ | |
| DTA SNAP Transportation Support | ✓ | |
| Test/License Fees | ✓ | |
| Books/Supplies | ✓ | |
| Clothing/Uniforms | ✓ |
Yes
Transportation and cost of industry acceptable shoes
Not applicable
23 Bradston St, Boston, MA
54 Ashley St, East Boston, Boston, MA, USA
All training locations are accessible by public transportation.
NECAT provides its culinary job training curriculum at three locations: the Boston Training Center, the East Boston YMCA, and at the Suffolk County House of Correction (not a SNAP Path to Work location).
Yes
617-442-3600
Elise Brandwein or Alina Gardner
617-442-3600 ext 704
Interested in the class that starts on January 7th?
Attend an Information/Intake session:
- Monday December 15th at 2:00 am
- Tuesday December 16th at 9:30 am
- Wednesday December 17th at 9:30 am
- Tuesday December 23rd at 9:30 am
- Monday January 5th at 9:00 am