Are certifications worth it while job hunting? after 14 years as a line cook

A local college offers a course that costs $1000. There are 14 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I am unsure whether employers value it. Is there free funding?

Check a dozen job postings first. If most ask for the same certificate, it is probably worth it.

The workforce centre told me about training funds I qualified for. It covered most of my course.