(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – On December 6, the Broward Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) contributed $40,000 to Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) to support the curriculum for the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) at eight Broward County High Schools. Administered by the FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF), the HTMP program helps high school juniors and seniors take their first real steps toward promising hospitality careers through graphic-rich textbooks and workbooks, and incorporates the best of modern technology with a selection of online coursework.
Superintendent Robert W. Runcie and Broward County School Board Members recognized the hospitality industry’s contributions at the Broward County School Board Meeting held Tuesday at the Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center. The FRLA Broward Chapter Board of Directors and local high school students currently enrolled in hospitality-related education programs participated in the recognition and check presentation. Students offered testimonials on the positive impacts and benefits of these vocational programs. This year overall, the FRLA Broward Chapter contributed a total of $65,000 in support of local schools and teachers.
In 2016, the FRLAEF has awarded more than $700,000 statewide to support Florida’s next generation of restaurateurs, hoteliers and business leaders. Of this, more than $37,000 was contributed towards Broward County Public Schools.
In addition to these contributions, several FRLA members have formed partnerships with local schools to add further support and provide mentorship opportunities. In Broward County, seven FRLA members have adopted local schools:
McArthur High School • The Diplomat Beach Resort
Stranahan High School • Riverside Hotel
Fort Lauderdale High School • Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach
Boyd Anderson High School • Republic Services
Blanche Ely High School • Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa
Stoneman Douglas High School • Duffy’s Sports Grill
Lauderdale Lakes Middle School • The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
The FRLAEF provides school-to-career training for 30,000 hospitality students representing more than 250 high schools statewide. Designed to increase the quality and employability of graduates, the program uses an industry-derived curriculum through Florida ProStart and the HTMP. With a focus on the future of Florida’s hospitality industry, these programs allow students to learn and showcase skills that can be used in foodservice and lodging.
To learn more about the FRLA Educational Foundation, click here. For membership information, contact Anne Sallee, FRLA Broward Chapter Director at 954.253.0850 or by email at asallee@frla.org. For all media inquiries, contact Erin Power, Press Secretary at epower@frla.org or 850-224-2250 ext. 225.