Since taking over as North Coast College president five years ago, Milan Milasinovic has made a few shrewd moves that set up the Lakewood college for the 21stcentury.
In addition to increasing the Detroit Avenue school’s credentials from associate level to bachelor’s level, Milasinovic was also involved in the 2017 acquisition of the highly respected New England Culinary Institute in Vermont to become the North Coast College’s sister school.
The next step for the local college is tied to the latter: the introduction of pilot programs for associate degrees in baking & pastry arts, as well as culinary arts beginning next semester, which starts January 6.
“Since we acquired the college in Vermont, it made all of the sense that we offered those programs here in Ohio,” Milasinovic said. “We did market research and realized that there’s no similar program offered, so I think it’ll be a great addition.
“It’s very essential and important for the community because to our knowledge there are no AOS (associate of occupational studies) programs in baking and culinary offered in Northeast Ohio at all. So that’s a completely new thing. What we offer is a full accredited program, and different financial aid is available for all students. This is certainly new for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.”
The North Coast College will partner with Millennia Hospitality Group, which operates Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar, Il Venetian and Lockkeepers, for the pilot programs.
The baking & pastry arts program prepares qualified students to become creative baking professionals focused in the pastry kitchen with also components of the savory kitchen, business management and general education.
As for the culinary arts program, qualified students will become skilled culinary and kitchen professionals. Graduates will be able to perform effectively in key positions of commercial kitchens, which may include à la carte cook, baker, banquet cook, rounds cook and assistant garde manger chef.
Each program requires 12 months of coursework, followed by a four-month long internship. Upon completion, students may continue their education at the North Coast College in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the brand-new food and beverage business management program, which is offered entirely online and will take only an additional 12 to 16 months for completion.
“The additional 16 months for online studying can actually ensure they have additional career choice in their lives,” Milasinovic said. “A kitchen job is not an easy one, and after 15 to 20 years that they seek out another career, a management degree offers them not only a bachelor’s degree but also another career.”
So far the reaction to the North Coast College moves has been received positively throughout the restaurant community.
“The economy is great, and there are jobs everywhere, but still students need to come to school and learn because if they go without preparation and training and work in restaurants, it’s absolutely not the same level of education,” Milasinovic said.
“Then on top of that, restaurants need to train them, which is a long and costly process. Everyone in the food business is crying because they can’t find qualified people. So these programs are important in our area.”
Request more information about the program here.
@TheNCCLakewood