PATHSAALA INSTITUTE
ON-THE-JOB LEARNING CENTRE
Pathsaala, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘the seat of learning’, is situated in Perth-Andover, N.B. just off the majestic Saint John River. One of the newest campuses of Elephant Thoughts’, Pathsaala serves as an on-the-job skills training center for youth facing barriers to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Programs focus on culinary, hospitality, energy and green building providing paid training opportunities and on-site employment as Pathsaala is also a beautiful working Inn and world class restaurant.
CULINARY AND AGRICULTURE
Pathsaala is offering one of the most unique culinary schools in the world. A boutique college designed to train students in classroom and in a live fine dining restaurant in small groups. With a small class size, students will learn from top Indigenous chefs in areas of culinary arts, market gardening, the business of food production and food sovereignty.
Our goal is to turn out highly qualified top chefs, sought after for jobs across country or ready to start a restaurant or food production business right in their own community and are exclusively available for Indigenous youth seeking careers in the food industry.
Our sustainably designed gardens serve as a classroom for the agriculture program as well as year-round organic produce and developing food products for the restaurant and other markets.
- Unlike most culinary schools, students are not just numbers, they are nurtured, cared for and supported. It is like going to school but living at home – we offer safe and well-appointed accommodations, healthy eating habits and professional mental wellness supports.
- Students learn management and entrepreneurial skills.
- Students staying 4 years will leave with Red Seal Chef designation.
- Pathways coaches -unlike most schools you are not alone to navigate your next steps. There will be a pathway coach acting as mentor and support along the whole journey with you. Like a “caring parent” away from home they will help to make sure you are taken care of and wrapped in support, ensuring students are eating nutritious foods and attending class.
- With small student groups we don’t just teach, we help students start their careers with; post school support finding jobs; raising money for their own business; further training opportunities and multi-year mentorship.
OUR CHEF
CHEF RAY BEAR
Chef Ray Bear is truly one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs. 13 restaurants later and sought after for major events like the Juno Awards and more, Ray is a master chef with a humble heart. Ray has worked alongside many of Canada’s top chefs. He studied culinary arts at The Culinary Institute of America, has showcased his talents with a line of his own sauces sold in Whole Foods all over the U.S., and is known for his passion and flare.
ENERGY AND GREEN BUILDING
Energy and Green Building is offered in the form of all expenses including wages paid internships, 9 weeks in length. These are an ideal opportunity for emerging youth leaders to explore a career in conventional building and/or in the green building industry or renewable energy sectors. This is a key focus area in an industry that is innovative and rapidly growing in support of both the climate and housing crisis. Students will learn:
CORE COMPETENCIES IN GREEN DESIGN AND CONVENTIONAL BUILDING PRINCIPLES
HEALTH AND SAFETY, WHIMIS, FIRST AID/CPR, WORKING FROM HEIGHTS, CONSTRUCTION MATH
ROOF-TOP SOLAR INSTALLATION TRAINING
WIND TURBINE MAINTENANCE
GIS (GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS) TRAINING
WORKSHOPS IN LIVING BUILDING, NET ZERO AND PASSIVE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION
HANDS-ON TRAINING IN REAL-TIME PROJECTS LED BY RED SEAL PROFESSIONALS
CONNECTIONS TO APPRENTICESHIPS AND EMPLOYER PARTNERS
THE GROUNDS
ACRES OF SUSTAINABLE WORKING GARDENS
OUR GARDENS SERVE MANY PURPOSES
A classroom for the sustainable agriculture program.
Year-round organic produce for our teaching restaurant.
Provide a safe home for bees to produce organic honey.
Support the organic products trade which in turn supports our education program.
TEACHING THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
The gardens at Pathsaala serve as a mini ecosystem, attracting a variety of plants and small animal species. By creating habitats for different creatures, students learn about the importance of diversity in sustaining a balanced environment. Not only are the gardens sustainable and educational, they serve the restaurant and organic products with everything from vegetables to serve and preserve, nut trees, edible flowers, herbs such as lavender to use in lotions and soaps as well as micro-greens.
Trails on the property contain extra plantations of mushroom logs and indigenous plants for annual foraging.
OUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN COACH
ANDREAS HAUN
Award winning designer for Kingsbrae Gardens in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, Andreas brings with him exceptional talents in floral and indigenous plant installments are oversees landscape design and teaching at all ET campuses.