Get Connected with the Michigan Hospitality Foundation
By: Michigan Hospitality Foundation | March 2024

The Michigan Hospitality Foundation (MHF)is fundamentally about connection. For over twenty years, the foundation has linked the next generation of hospitality leaders to the tools, training, and teaching they need to succeed in a hospitality career–and then to the employers who can provide them with limitless opportunities. At MHF, we believe the industry is stronger when we are all connected. So while we’re creating pathways for talented students, we are also making ways for the current pioneers and professionals in the industry to connect with the next generation of industry leaders.
Let’s take a look at how we can connect you to high school programs teaching career education and all the skills necessary to craft a memorable experience:
Let’s take a look at how we can connect you to high school programs teaching career education and all the skills necessary to craft a memorable experience:
ProStart is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. ProStart is a partnership with local high schools and career centers, using a two-level curriculum that integrates practical skill sets, allows students to become familiar with restaurants and food service, exposes students to innovative career opportunities, and provides the tools and skills needed to become a star of the industry.
Hospitality & Tourism Management opens the door to exciting careers in hospitality. Students learn about lodging, food and beverage operations, tourism, attractions, travel and event management, and essentially every angle of Michigan’s storied hospitality industry. |
How can you engage and support the local schools in your area?
1. Volunteer as a guest speaker. Share your story with up-and-coming students, giving real-world examples of what it means to be a sous chef, revenue officer, or sales manager. It only takes an hour and provides more insight and inspiration than any textbook!
2. Host a demonstration. Roll sushi, decorate a cake, show off your knife skills, and more. Show them the techniques and skills they’ll need to work in a business like yours - and play a hand in helping them learn those skills.
3. Jump into Career Day. Each tech center hosts an annual Career Day for students to review resumes and participate in mock interview workshops. It’s educational for you too – you would be surprised how much you gain from conducting mock interviews.
2. Host a demonstration. Roll sushi, decorate a cake, show off your knife skills, and more. Show them the techniques and skills they’ll need to work in a business like yours - and play a hand in helping them learn those skills.
3. Jump into Career Day. Each tech center hosts an annual Career Day for students to review resumes and participate in mock interview workshops. It’s educational for you too – you would be surprised how much you gain from conducting mock interviews.

4. Attend and support fundraising events. It’s also a chance to meet the next generation of industry stars. Serve on the advisory board. Every local school has a Career Tech Education board –get involved to support the education of the next generation
5. Host a field trip. Welcome a class to your business, provide a tour, and have various team members explain their jobs as you move the students through the operation
6. Mentor students as they are preparing for competitions.
7. Serve as a workplace partner for your local program. This is a commitment, but it’s a rewarding one. The school will refer students to you, who will work in your restaurant or hotel as part of the learning experience. The Michigan Department of Education Office of Career & Technical Education has a workbook on successfully serving as a designed CTE workplace learning partner.
8. Hire students for special events or limited experience opportunities. This gives students a leg up in the professional world, builds experience, and opens up doors for permanent jobs in the industry.
5. Host a field trip. Welcome a class to your business, provide a tour, and have various team members explain their jobs as you move the students through the operation
6. Mentor students as they are preparing for competitions.
7. Serve as a workplace partner for your local program. This is a commitment, but it’s a rewarding one. The school will refer students to you, who will work in your restaurant or hotel as part of the learning experience. The Michigan Department of Education Office of Career & Technical Education has a workbook on successfully serving as a designed CTE workplace learning partner.
8. Hire students for special events or limited experience opportunities. This gives students a leg up in the professional world, builds experience, and opens up doors for permanent jobs in the industry.
We can also connect you to community organizations and training programs that work with youth programs, justice-involved individuals, and veterans.
Restaurant Ready is a national program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation(NRAEF). It’s dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence.
HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society) program partners with the Michigan Department of Corrections, community-based organizations, state restaurant associations and work force entities as part of a community collaborative model. These partner organizations provide case management services and industry-recognized credentials utilizing an NRAEF training framework focused on the competencies needed to enter the restaurant and hospitality industry.
How can you get connected to programs in your community?

1. Attend graduation ceremonies for the program graduates, showing your support for the trainees and meeting them face-to-face
2. Visit your local program. See the state-of-the-art equipment and teaching curriculum that goes on in HOPES and Restaurant Ready programs. Just plan ahead: programs taught in prisons and jails require clearance.
3. Serve as a guest speaker. Invest in these new recruits by sharing actual insights and experiences from the industry, answering questions and providing life-changing information.
4. Hire graduates. These accredited and committed individuals are ready for success!
2. Visit your local program. See the state-of-the-art equipment and teaching curriculum that goes on in HOPES and Restaurant Ready programs. Just plan ahead: programs taught in prisons and jails require clearance.
3. Serve as a guest speaker. Invest in these new recruits by sharing actual insights and experiences from the industry, answering questions and providing life-changing information.
4. Hire graduates. These accredited and committed individuals are ready for success!
For more information about how to get connected to MHF, visit our website at mihf.org or email Amanda Smith at [email protected]