Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship

The NRAEF Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship (HSRA) program provides both new and current restaurant and foodservice employees the opportunity to advance their careers and move into higher paying management positions. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, HSRA is a win-win for both the employee and their company.

Current Employers Contact NRAEF

Why Apprenticeship?

Registered Apprenticeship is an employer-driven model that combines on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction to increase skill level and economic mobility. Apprenticeships are a proven solution for companies to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers—and it is a way to put employees on a career path that will encourage them to stay and advance in hospitality-sector jobs.

Benefits to participating in the registered apprenticeship program:

Technical Assistance and Support - NRAEF & AHLAF can help you successfully customize your program to align with national industry standards. Connect with a national network of expertise, customer service, and support at no charge.

National Credential - Graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs receive a national, industry-recognized credential.

Business Performance - Apprenticeship programs pay for themselves through reduced turnover, resulting in lower training costs and higher profitability.

National Recognition and Partnership - As part of the work led by NRAEF and AHLAF, companies will be able to navigate and promote apprenticeship as an industry initiative.

Quality Standards - A registered apprenticeship means the program has met national and independent standards for quality and rigor. Registration tells prospective employees, customers, and suppliers that you invest in your workforce and that you believe your employees are your most important asset.

Federal and State Resources - Companies and apprentices can access funding and other resources to help support their Registered Apprenticeship programs, including tax credits, programs for veterans, and financial aid.

Apprenticeship Program Resources

Questions about Apprenticeship

Your apprenticeship questions answered.

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Toolkit

Dive deeper into the strategies and benefits of apprenticeship, and how you can get started.

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Informational Brochure

For step-by-step instructions on how to start a registered apprenticeship, download our informational brochures.

Restaurant Brochure

Lodging Manager Brochure

Lodging Cook Brochure

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Sign up for a consultation with our team. We will review comptencies and standards with NRAEF/AHLAF, and help you identify site(s) for your apprenticeship program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship (HSRA)?

In the fall of 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) awarded the NRAEF a $1.8 million contract to develop the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship (HSRA) - the first-ever apprenticeship program specifically for the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industries. The USDOL officially approved and signed the standards for HSRA in June 2017, specifying the requirements necessary for employers to offer apprenticeships to their employees.

What are the benefits of apprenticeship in the restaurant industry?

Apprenticeship programs are proven to reduce turnover costs, increase productivity and create a more skilled, diverse and competitive workforce.

Apprenticeships offer an affordable alternative to a four-year degree, without resulting in a six-figure college loan.

With an "earn while you learn" model, apprenticeships combine related instruction and paid on-the-job training. On average, restaurant managers make between $50,000-$60,000 per year, providing employees with a pathway to the middle class.

What does the restaurant workforce currently look like?

Restaurants are the nation's second-largest private-sector employer. One in three American's get their first job in a restaurant. There are currently 15.3 million employees in the restaurant industry.

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