SANFORD -- Central Carolina Community College is offering a new retail management certification program focused on preparing students for the food service industry. The Veterans Upward Bound program at CCCC has partnered with local franchisees to offer veterans the opportunity to take advantage of this new program and put themselves on the fast track to profitable employment.

A retail management certification information session for anyone wanting to learn more will be held on Wednesday, July 29th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9013, 14258 N.C. Highway 210, Spring Lake.

This is an opportunity to discover the growing and lucrative career field of quick service food management.

In order to meet the demand of local franchisees, Central Carolina Community College, Veterans Upward Bound, and partners Bojangles and Zaxby's have developed the retail management certification to fast-track the skills necessary to excel in this industry. This credential can be earned in one semester with 18 credit hours completely transferable that can go toward an Associate of Science Degree in Business at any community college in the North Carolina Community College System.

Zaxby's is presently hiring for several management positions for a new store location on N.C. Highway 87. Veterans have the priority on these positions and are encouraged to apply through Veterans Upward Bound. Qualified candidates hired will have the opportunity to receive some scholarship funding for this program. This program will not impede entitlement to any other veteran benefit and is eligible for the use of VA educational benefits.

Those attending the information session on July 29th are asked to bring a current resume and a copy of their DD214 if they have been discharged from the military. Individuals in need of assistance with preparing a resume can contact Veterans Upward Bound to receive a professional revision, a saved copy on a jump drive, and printed copies on resume paper.

Veterans Upward Bound staff can be reached by calling (919) 718-7487 or emailing veteransub@cccc.edu.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu.