WAFC - Western Association of Food Chains, Inc.

The WAFC is committed to initiating and supporting education programs that assist in the development of our people. This is why our member companies have chosen to work with the community college system to establish an education program that:

Will help prepare current and future food industry employees for the fast-paced challenges prevalent in the retail industry.
Will help students develop a sense of the scope of the retail manager’s job and an understanding of the basic requirements for success in the future.
Can be offered at multiple campuses throughout the 14 western states served by the various member companies of the WAFC, thereby making the certificate accessible to many more employees.
Allows students to complete the certificate program while working part or full-time, with courses offered during the day and evening through traditional means, as well as offered over satellite or Internet when possible/appropriate.
Has substantially similar course curriculum from campus to campus, a necessary pre-requisite to receiving WAFC endorsement.
Would lead to the receipt of a college-level Retail Management Certificate and a unique WAFC certificate that will be recognized by the WAFC and all member companies – management and employees.

The Community Colleges have been chosen by the WAFC to meet the above goals and objectives because:

Community colleges are readily available to all associates of WAFC member companies;
The achievable entrance requirements of community colleges make them a viable education option for the vast majority of our associates;
The ability to create a standardized and consistent curriculum across geographic and political boundaries meets the needs of the multi-regional operators that make up a large part of the WAFC membership.
The community college program will meet the immediate needs of the widest cross-section of companies and company associates.


Program Objectives The WAFC is committed to initiating and supporting education programs that assist in the development of our people. This is why our member companies have chosen to work with the community college system to establish an education program that: Will help prepare current and future food industry employees for the fast-paced challenges prevalent in the retail industry. Will help students develop a sense of the scope of the retail manager’s job and an understanding of the basic requirements for success in the future. Can be offered at multiple campuses throughout the 14 western states served by the various member companies of the WAFC, thereby making the certificate accessible to many more employees. Allows students to complete the certificate program while working part or full-time, with courses offered during the day and evening through traditional means, as well as offered over satellite or Internet when possible/appropriate. Has substantially similar course curriculum from campus to campus, a necessary pre-requisite to receiving WAFC endorsement. Would lead to the receipt of a college-level Retail Management Certificate and a unique WAFC certificate that will be recognized by the WAFC and all member companies – management and employees. The Community Colleges have been chosen by the WAFC to meet the above goals and objectives because: Community colleges are readily available to all associates of WAFC member companies; The achievable entrance requirements of community colleges make them a viable education option for the vast majority of our associates; The ability to create a standardized and consistent curriculum across geographic and political boundaries meets the needs of the multi-regional operators that make up a large part of the WAFC membership. The community college program will meet the immediate needs of the widest cross-section of companies and company associates.