Na
tionally sponsored apprenticeships are a great way for business owners to connect with an emerging workforce to create a path to leadership. Through a $1.8 million contract with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation and the American Hotel and Lodging Association developed the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship program. This program is the first ever of its kind specifically for the hospitality sector.
Who Are the NRAEF and AHLA?
The NRAEF is the education arm of the National Restaurant Association that controls apprenticeship, ProStart, and various scholarship programs. The NRAEF is a 501C (3) organization that promotes the advancement of the hospitality workforce, future and present. The AHLA promotes the hotel and lodging industry through lobbying at the state and national level, and promoting the workforce of the lodging industry. The AHLA works closely with the NRA on issues impacting the hospitality industry.
How it Works
Apprenticeship allows for employees to advance up the hospitality career ladder within one company. To start you will need to identify the key individuals in your organization’s structure that would help facilitate the program. From there the NRAEF, and/or the AHLA will be with you every step of the way to develop your program so that it can best showcase your business, benefit your workforce, and reach your future goals for your employees.
How Do You Get Started?
It is easy to get started with the NRA and AHLA apprenticeship program. In four easy steps you will be on your way to developing a workforce tailored directly to your business. First off, your company will sign up for a consultation with the NRA. They will then go through all aspects of your business to see how they can best customize the program to your business. Second, they will review the standards needed to be a participant in the apprenticeship program. Third, you will identify the locations that will provide the program and sign your letter of commitment. Last, you start your apprenticeship and begin your journey to a specialized workforce.
For more information, or a link to get started, head to the NRAEF webpage on apprenticeships here.
Or, if you are a lodging affiliated member, head to the AHLA site here.
