2,000 Restaurant Workers Now Enrolled in National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Registered Apprenticeship Program
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is celebrating the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) by spotlighting how restaurant workers are advancing their careers through apprenticeship.
Now in its third year, the NRAEF’s restaurant management apprenticeship program has reached a total enrollment of 2,000, and is helping individuals grow their skills to meet the talent demands of employers across the restaurant and hospitality industries.
“Our apprenticeship program is a win-win for both employers and restaurant employees,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF. “While large and small restaurant businesses are providing their employees with a nationally recognized path to career advancement, our program participants are improving their skills and taking a big step toward higher wages.” The NRAEF is celebrating NAW by sharing the stories of restaurant management apprentices and the employer partners – read below to learn more.
Employer Feature - Brinker International - The NRAEF is proud to have Brinker International and Chili’s as its largest apprenticeship employer. Brinker demonstrates a clear commitment to invest in the people running their restaurants.
Apprentice Feature – Kadeeja Baker, Maru Sushi and Grill
Meet NRAEF Hospitality Apprenticeship program registered apprentice Kadeeja Baker! Less than one year after starting the apprenticeship program, Kadeeja has been promoted from Sushi Chef to Head Sushi Chef at Maru Sushi & Grill.
Apprentice Feature – Joanna Landeros, Shakey’s Pizza, USA
Joanna Landeros began her career at ShakeysUSA in San Gabriel, California as a game room attendant while she was in high school. Since starting at the company, she’s held positions as shift lead, assistant manager and recently, was promoted to General Manager through the apprenticeship program.
Employer Feature – Lorraine Serva, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
As the Director of Human Resources at Iron Hill Brewery, Lorraine Serva knows the significance of investing in employees and their success. With 13 apprentices enrolled in the program early on, since then, 10 out of those 13 apprentices have been promoted to the next level in their careers.
Apprentice Feature – Cassidy Hubbard, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Iron Hill Brewery, an early adopter of apprenticeship, was also the first restaurant to onboard an apprentice with Cassidy Hubbard, a 24-year-old Back of House employee. Cassidy recently completed the program and received a promotion.
Employer Feature – Gecko’s Hospitality
As National Apprenticeship Week comes to a close, we wanted to celebrate our employers, like Gecko’s Hospitality Group, who are giving opportunities to these apprentices! The past year was the Gecko’s Hospitality Group’s inaugural effort as participants in the NRAEF’s apprenticeship program.
The NRAEF is also participating in the USDOL Women’s Bureau’s National Summit on Women in Apprenticeship. Keynote speaker, Susan Crystal-Mansour, Ph.D., Vice President of Program Impact for the NRAEF will focus on the important role women in leadership position can play as mentors for the next generation of women in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
To watch live coverage of the Summit and to find more NRAEF apprenticeship stories, follow the NRAEF on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
To learn more about how you and/or your company can get involved with apprenticeship, visit ChooseRestaurants.org/Apprenticeship.
For a complete listing of National Apprenticeship Week events, click here.
