National Restaurant Association's Foundation Awarded $9.2M Contract to Expand Hospitality Apprenticeship Program

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) received a five-year, $9.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Labor to continue the growth and expansion of its Hospitality-Sector Registered Apprenticeship (HSRA) – an earn-while-you-learn training program conducted in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation) and the Multicultural Food and Hospitality Association (MFHA).

HSRA provides a proven pathway to sustainable careers for workers seeking high-skilled and high-paying jobs, and for employers seeking to train, promote and retain their workforce.

The multi-year contract will support the promotion and expansion of registered apprenticeship in the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry to meet employer needs across the sector; increase opportunities for underrepresented populations, including women, Veterans, persons currently or formerly incarcerated, youth and minorities; and leverage apprenticeship stakeholder resources to support the long-term sustainability of apprenticeship across both restaurants and lodging.

"Despite the challenges facing the hotel industry due to COVID-19, we are seeing a 94% retention rate among our apprentices with over 40 corporate employers, representing all segments of the industry, and we know that the skills they learn through the program will help them be one step ahead once travel resumes," said Rosanna Maietta, president of the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation. "The apprenticeship model has been proven to successfully address the talent needs of the hotel sector, and we are excited to join NRAEF and continue our efforts in the years ahead."

Over 2,500 apprentices are currently enrolled in HSRA. The program is operating with an 80% retention rate for restaurant managers.