Gearing Up Training Offerings for the Ever-Changing Hospitality Industry
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation Update
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (MRLAEF) has been a leader in preparing new talent to join our workforce since 1991 and is continuously expanding offerings.
Michigan ProStart
The ProStart program is a national two-year high school career and technical education program that teaches Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts and has been going strong for over 20 years. Always looking for new ways to enhance the program’s success, MRLAEF has adapted and made local enhancements.
Michigan’s ProStart program was first in the national to:
Michigan's ProStart program was also one of the first states to offer a summer ProStart emergent experience. In 2021, The Nate Santelli ProStart Summer Camp celebrated its five year anniversary. The camp continues to grow and expand student benefits with Ferris State University allowing camp attendees to earn college credit.
Michigan ProStart
The ProStart program is a national two-year high school career and technical education program that teaches Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts and has been going strong for over 20 years. Always looking for new ways to enhance the program’s success, MRLAEF has adapted and made local enhancements.
Michigan’s ProStart program was first in the national to:
- Require ServSafe Manger certification for students
- Host a nutrition-focused competition and publish student recipes that are approved by chefs and dietitians alike
- Develop a curriculum supplement on Michigan-grown produce and cooking with Michigan Grown Herbs and Spices
Michigan's ProStart program was also one of the first states to offer a summer ProStart emergent experience. In 2021, The Nate Santelli ProStart Summer Camp celebrated its five year anniversary. The camp continues to grow and expand student benefits with Ferris State University allowing camp attendees to earn college credit.
Hospitality & Tourism Management
MRLAEF has been working in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) since the merger between the Michigan Restaurant Association and Check In Michigan to bring a hotel-focused Career & Technical Education program to Michigan.
In August 2021, the MRLAEF launched a pilot of the National Hospitality & Tourism Management program. There is an urgent need for additional trained staffing, and the Foundation will be working throughout the winter to encourage school districts to formally adopt the program with Perkins V program support in the 2022/2023 school year.
MRLAEF has been working in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) since the merger between the Michigan Restaurant Association and Check In Michigan to bring a hotel-focused Career & Technical Education program to Michigan.
In August 2021, the MRLAEF launched a pilot of the National Hospitality & Tourism Management program. There is an urgent need for additional trained staffing, and the Foundation will be working throughout the winter to encourage school districts to formally adopt the program with Perkins V program support in the 2022/2023 school year.
HOPES and Restaurant Ready
There are many different avenues being pursued to get the industry back up and running. One of the opportunities is working with partner organizations to welcome at risk youth and returning citizens into our businesses. MRLAEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation HOPES Program. HOPES stands for Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re)Entering Society. HOPES is made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor grant that supports hundreds of justice-involved adults through training, employment, and apprenticeships. This is an exciting opportunity to help change the course of a person’s life by providing skills, credentials, and job opportunities. This is a community-based organization with a high percentage of job retention.
The Restaurant Ready provides training for young adults in six work-ready competency areas; personal responsibility, communication, attitude, learning, customer service and industry specific skills. It directly links the individual to local employers. It is designed to help people acquire skills, discipline, and the confidence to start a job and stay employed.
Both the HOPES and Restaurant Ready programs are executed locally with community-based organizations. Michigan has eight dedicate partners across the state that are supporting the industry's future employees with life skills and technical knowledge. In addition to the employability skills, students will learn the basics of food safety, personal hygiene, and standard knife cuts. The organizations are ensuring employees have a mechanism to get to and from work, basic supplies such as slip resistant shoes, and other foundational items to prepare them for successful employment. Nationally, these programs have a 70 percent retention rate and there are a number of tax benefits for employers who are the first employer to hire returning citizens.
If you are searching for workforce development pathways or would like to be involved with any of these initiatives, please contact Amanda Smith at [email protected] or 517-377-3927.
There are many different avenues being pursued to get the industry back up and running. One of the opportunities is working with partner organizations to welcome at risk youth and returning citizens into our businesses. MRLAEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation HOPES Program. HOPES stands for Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re)Entering Society. HOPES is made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor grant that supports hundreds of justice-involved adults through training, employment, and apprenticeships. This is an exciting opportunity to help change the course of a person’s life by providing skills, credentials, and job opportunities. This is a community-based organization with a high percentage of job retention.
The Restaurant Ready provides training for young adults in six work-ready competency areas; personal responsibility, communication, attitude, learning, customer service and industry specific skills. It directly links the individual to local employers. It is designed to help people acquire skills, discipline, and the confidence to start a job and stay employed.
Both the HOPES and Restaurant Ready programs are executed locally with community-based organizations. Michigan has eight dedicate partners across the state that are supporting the industry's future employees with life skills and technical knowledge. In addition to the employability skills, students will learn the basics of food safety, personal hygiene, and standard knife cuts. The organizations are ensuring employees have a mechanism to get to and from work, basic supplies such as slip resistant shoes, and other foundational items to prepare them for successful employment. Nationally, these programs have a 70 percent retention rate and there are a number of tax benefits for employers who are the first employer to hire returning citizens.
If you are searching for workforce development pathways or would like to be involved with any of these initiatives, please contact Amanda Smith at [email protected] or 517-377-3927.
Upcoming Events: Welcoming Returning Citizens to the Workforce
One of the biggest issues facing the hospitality industry right now is the workforce. In our dedication to providing solutions for MRLA Members, we are bringing the HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society) program to Michigan. Join us for this educational session as we explore best practices to successfully Welcome Returning Citizens as Employees into your Business and how to utilize the HOPES program in your operation.
Join us for this educational session as we explore best practices to successfully Welcome Returning Citizens as Employees into your Business.
When: Monday October, 18 from 9:30am-12:00pm
Where: Grand Trunk Pub, 612 Woodward Ave, Detroit
Join us for this educational session as we explore best practices to successfully Welcome Returning Citizens as Employees into your Business.
When: Monday October, 18 from 9:30am-12:00pm
Where: Grand Trunk Pub, 612 Woodward Ave, Detroit
