Employer Spotlight: Pei Wei

With a commitment to stand by the IRC’s resettlement services, Pei Wei restaurants developed a Refugee Training Program/ Job Fair for IRC’s beneficiaries.

The training began Monday morning at the Pei Wei Restaurant located in Southwest Miami.  Twelve IRC beneficiaries were greeted by the locations’ General Manager, his crew; as well as the Regional Market Partner and Market Chef.  

With some uncertainty but with their joyful spirits, IRC candidates, observed each work station, and the various dishes prepared to Pei Wei’s high quality standards.  The training included observing a typical lunch crown and tasting various dishes from the menu.

Three days of training followed at the IRC Miami office, with the continuous assistance of Pei Wei’s management, devoting more than 15 hours for this first training/job fair concept.   Pei Wei kindly supplied the IRC office with cooking utensils and other tools used daily at their restaurants to instruct our beneficiaries.

Upon completion of the fifth day, the 12 beneficiaries who started the program timidly had begun to shine.  They were tested on the knowledge acquired during the week and met with managers for individual interviews to demonstrate why they should work for this company.

“I have dreamt of working for a company like this all my life” Said Jose Fernandez, who came from Cuba recently and who was one of the 7 candidates hired for positions with Pei Wei.

Women and Men from various backgrounds were selected to work for this featured employer in various areas of South Florida.  Pei Wei and the IRC Miami’s Employment Team have joined forces to make this training/job fair a reality.

The IRC Miami office wants to thank Pei Wei for the nationwide commitment to our program, as well as the IRC offices that were part of this accomplishment.