Augustus Aboh finishes a test just in time to hear Chelo’s vice president Bob Crowley tell 14 Providence high school graduates enrolled in the city’s hospitality jobs training program that he is offering them jobs at Chelo’s.

The Providence Journal / Andrew Dickerman

PROVIDENCE — It seemed clear to Lorpu Dolo, 21, that something special was happening in the summer job training class when the instructor told the students to dress nicely for the day’s session at Hope High.

Rami Ogando, 19, had a hunch, too, and it was confirmed when suddenly cameras were everywhere and the mayor’s black Lincoln Town Car was parked out front.

But he never thought that it would be the day he got a job.

Yesterday, the 14 students training for careers in the hospitality and food service industry “someday” were suddenly told that “someday” is now: they were offered jobs at Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille, told that they will be put on the management track, and that they will be personally mentored by Chelo’s vice president of operations, Bob Crowley.

“I sort of had a feeling — but I didn’t think it was all this,” Ogando said. “I’m definitely doing this … I’m really excited”

The 14 students are all recently graduated Hope High School seniors who are looking to enter the work force right away. They have been participating in a four-week pilot training program — run by the Providence Skills Center in partnership with the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association and the city — where they learn restaurant and food preparation skills.

Crowley, who started his career as a dishwasher at age 14, heard about the program and took a personal interest. He said he entered the business looking for a job — but wants more young people to look at restaurants as a career.

“For a long time, the restaurant industry and the hospitality industry, as a whole, has always been a fallback,” Crowley said. “I think times have changed. It’s become a real career choice for kids. I want to foster that.”

He told the students that they can come in next week or the week after for orientation. If they work hard, they’ll move up, just as he did.

“I wasn’t anything special. Just an average guy who out-worked everybody, out-hustled everybody, just like you can do,” said Crowley, of Plymouth, Mass.

Mayor David N. Cicilline was on hand to enjoy the moment, which he said had special relevance with the current economy making jobs tough to come by.

“It’s clear that during these difficult economic times, programs like this give our youth a competitive advantage in the work force,” he said.

The students have several weeks to weigh whether they want to accept Crowley’s offer — most said they would — and then can start as soon as they’re ready at one of the 10 Chelo’s restaurants in positions ranging from line cook to pantry cook, server, host, banquet staff or catering staff.

dbarbari@projo.com