Apprenticeships: The future of hospitality education

APPRENTICESHIPS THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY EDUCATION By Alina Day

The cost of labor is a primary concern of the hospitality industry year after year, and we know you are looking for a new and creative solution to that rising cost. Apprenticeship programs could be that solution.

What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship combines classroom instruction with onthe-job training to create job-ready employees and increase the skills of current ones. After thousands of hours of career-connected learning, apprentices complete their program and receive an industry

recognized certification. This model not only helps you recruit and train new highly skilled workers, but also retain them.

“Hospitality has a deep history of providing on-the-job

training. Most managers and professionals in the

industry started as entry-level employees and gained their skill sets by working alongside mentors,” David Faro, director of the Education Foundation said. “Careerconnected learning has been the foundation of hospitality training and education for as long as I have been part of the industry.”

Apprenticeships increase business performance by reducing employee turnover, which means lower training costs and more profit.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 91% of apprentices remain employed after completing their program. Furthermore, the National Restaurant Association states that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers receive an average of $1.47 return in increased productivity.

Training costs are further reduced when employers get funding provided through local workforce boards.

“There’s a lot of incentive to bring apprentices into your operations,” Faro said.

The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act grants access to money, training and development for your employees through apprenticeships.

How can you integrate apprenticeships into your business? The Education Foundation works closely with organizations across the state to provide state and federally-recognized apprenticeships. These programs provide powerful industry recognition.

There are a few different programs available that you can choose from.

The National Restaurant Association has their own registered apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor called the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship. This program provides courses for both restaurant manager and line cook. Both positions require at least 1,000 (with prior experience) to 4,000 hours of on-thejob-training and an additional 225 hours of supplemental training.

The public and private sectors have also reached out to the Education Foundation to create a state-approved lodging apprenticeship. This program, aimed at being a wideranging hospitality apprenticeship program, is currently in development and will focus on multiple careers available in the lodging sector. Apprentices will have to complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and an additional 144 hours of instruction to finish the program.

If you can’t implement an apprenticeship program into your business, try these formalized industry trainings instead. ServSuccess has three industry-recognized credentials and training that you can provide to your employees. These certifications require several hours of industry experience, an online course load and a test of knowledge at the end. The Certified Restaurant Professional requires 400 hours of industry

experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house to complete. The Certified Restaurant Supervisor requires 800 hours in a supervisory role and the Certified Restaurant Manager requires 2,000 hours of industry experience in a management role.

High school students who complete the ProStart program, have 400 hours of industry experience and pass two national exams, receive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. Look for ProStart graduates at a high school near you.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association also has a variety of professional certifications for the lodging sector. Courses cover every aspect of the lodging world, including security, revenue manager, hotel administrator, concierge, sales and much, much more. Most positions require hands-on job experience to apply and must pass an exam to prove their knowledge.

The Education Foundation has many on-the-job training opportunities available. Contact Education Foundation Director, David Faro at davidf@wahospitality.org or Training Programs Coordinator, Alyssa Flores at alyssaf@wahospitality. org for more information. The Education Foundation can also be reached by phone at 877-695-9733. 