A New and Better Life in the Hospitality Industry!

Transform your passion for food and hospitality into a well-paying career!

Through UHCHI’s U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program, you’ll earn a nationally recognized Journeyworker certificate, giving you the chance to grow within the industry and explore opportunities across the country.

In just a year, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to work in some of the best kitchens in the Chicagoland area—completely free!

No need to go into debt to build a better future! You’ll get the training, job placement support, and resources you need to reach your goals. It sounds too good to be true, right? Come to an in-person info session and see for yourself what UHCHI is all about!

Reach Out

The UHCHI Application Process!

Interested in applying? Here is a basic layout of the process!

Recruiting for Cohort 18, scheduled to start April 21, 2025

The first step in applying for the UHCHI Chef de Partie Culinary Apprenticeship program is to attend an in-person info session at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center. We validate parking for Parking Lot “C” for interested individuals who drive. Info sessions are conducted every Wednesday and Thursday* at 1 p.m.

*program scheduling may prevent info sessions on scheduled dates

LAST INFO SESSIONS for applying to Cohort 18:

Wednesday, June 4th @ 1:00 pm

Thursday, June 5th @ 1:00 pm

Use the link below to start the process:

uhchi.org

After attending an info session and reviewing their pre-application, applicants will receive an invitation to sit for CASAS testing. CASAS was designed to assess the relevant basic skills of adult learners in real work situations and gauge their Reading and Math levels. Our required benchmarks are 10th-grade Reading and 6th-grade Math. Testing is conducted on-site every Tuesday at 11 a.m.

The following steps of the UHCHI application process are the Chef interview, Kitchen Math, and Knife Skill prerequisite assessments. The interview will occur on the same day as the Kitchen Math assessment, so we ask applicants to dress appropriately and bring a hard copy of their resume. 

The knife skills assessment evaluates an individual’s proficiency in using a knife in a culinary setting. 

The assessment will include:

  • Basic knife skills –  The assessor checks for proper grip, posture, and knife handling. This consists of a pinch grip and a stable cutting stance.
  • Chopping and Slicing – The individual will be asked to chop vegetables, such as onions, carrots, potatoes, and herbs.
  • Knife Skills Variety – Demonstrate various cuts, like julienne, allumette, chiffonade, and dice, highlighting versatility and technique.
  • Safety and Sanitation – Understanding proper knife safety and sanitation practices is crucial. The assessor will look for awareness of how to handle knives safely and how to clean and store them correctly.
  • Presentation – Finally, the assessment includes how well the individual can present their work aesthetically.

As a WIOA-approved training provider, we refer all applicants to partnering Community-Based Organizations that can provide Individual Training Accounts to fund their participation. Thus, the applicant incurs no out-of-pocket expenses. 

Our Impact

Data and Statistics from UHCHI’S first full year of operation, April 2021 to April 2022.

UHCHI Culinary Apprentices
0 of 39

are currently employed across 16 properties.

Hours of On-The-Job Training
0

In our first year of operation, UHCHI Apprentices completed over 6,177 hours of on-the-job training.

39 of 40 UHCHI Apprentices
0 %

successfully completed the 8-Week US Department of Labor Registered Chef de Partie Educational Component.

Everything You Need to Succeed!

UHCHI is committed to the success of all its apprentices.

Upon completing the 8-week classroom training, apprentices receive a professional culinary textbook and a high-quality knife set after securing a job offer in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, you can borrow uniforms for job interviews. With your new skills, knife kit, and uniform, you’ll be ready to start your new job with confidence!

UHCHI supports you with job placement assistance, from resume building, to practice interviews, and access to exclusive job offers during the 8 week classroom instruction, during your paid on-the-job training, and for the rest of your career.

Whenever you need help with the next step in your career, UHCHI is here to advance you!

Chef preparing food

What is a DOL Registered Apprenticeship?

A U.S. Department of Labor registered Apprenticeship includes all of the following:

  • Classroom instruction
  • Paid work experience
  • Progressive wage increases
  • A portable, nationally-recognized Credential
  • Industry vetted training

Once you are employed with one of UHCHI’s employer partners, your on-the-job paid work experience will begin and your hours towards the Journeyworker certificate will begin accumulating!

FAQs

To qualify for our Chef de Partie Apprenticeship program, Applicants must be

  • Age 18 and over

  • Authorized to Work in the U.S

  • Able to read, communicate and comprehend English and perform Kitchen Math (Additional supports are available)

  • Available and willing to work evenings and weekends

  • Able to meet physical demands and requirements of the industry

  • Commit to the 8 Week Classroom Training (Individuals who do not successfully complete will not be referred to employer partners)

  • Successfully complete the prerequisite evaluations: Adult Basic Education Assessment (CASAS), Knife Skills, Kitchen Math and complete initial interview with Chef Instructors

  • Have the goal to obtain Full-time employment in a Professional Kitchen with one of the partner employers

UHCHI’s Chef de Partie Apprenticeship program is completely free to participants.

While you won’t need to pay anything, the cost to UHCHI of the education you will receive approximately $5,500 per participant, which includes an eighteen-piece professional grade knife kit, The Professional Chef textbook and two industry-recognized credentials: ServSafe Food Handler Certification and the American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute (AHLEI) Certified Kitchen Cook Certification.

UHCHI hosts 4 cohorts per year, one beginning mid January, one beginning end of March/early April, one beginning in the middle of June, and the final one beginning at the end of September.

Get in touch with us to see when you can begin!

Your apprenticeship consists of 8 weeks of classroom/teaching kitchen instruction followed by paid on-the-job training. To complete the paid on-the-job training portion, you must complete 1000 hours and pass your competency assessments, which most apprentices achieve within 6-12 months.

UHCHI programs and services are free to participants, along with other barrier reduction supports that are made available if the apprentice is eligible and based on the availability of funds. Please reach out to us directly so we can determine which supports you qualify for and make this apprenticeship program a realistic option for you.

UHCHI’s Chef de Partie Apprenticeship program promises a debt-free pathway into a well-paying, unionized career in the culinary and hospitality industry. Your starting wage with one of our employer partners during the paid on-the-job training portion of your apprenticeship will be no lower than $16.50/hr, with most of our apprentices earning over $20/hr. As a member of the UNITE HERE Local 1 Union, you will have a say in your life an your workplace, as well as some of the best benefits in the industry, including healthcare and a pension plan. Over the course of your career, you will earn approximately $301,533 more in compensation than your peers that did not complete a registered apprenticeship.

Our Success Stories