But at the same time, O'Neal is compassionate and understanding of her students' needs. Iff a batch of cookies needs to be thrown away because a key ingredient was forgotten, O'Neal is quick to teach a lesson. If they learn something about it, than that's what it is supposed to be about. O'Neal said the restaurant business is one of the fastest growing industries now, and the demand for good employees is high. That's why it is important for her to train future workers well.
People eat out all the time.
Brian Green, Cypress Street Station owner and former president of the Abilene Restaurant Association, said the restaurant labor force is traditionally made up of people from age 16 to 23. He said restaurants are the second largest employers in Abilene. He said programs like Cooper's may also encourage students to pursue management positions and college degrees. And many of O'Neal's students, including Loren Helms, are using the skills they learned in class in the real world. It is his first job, and he said his vocational home economics training impressed his boss and helped him get the job.