Our Impact

Our Industry

Illinois Department of Employment Security data confirms the enormous opportunities posed by growth in the Hospitality industry.

From 2020-2030, the leisure and hospitality industry is projected to grow by 33.5% (from 458,858 to 612,602), with Food Services and Drinking Places projected to grow by 26.90% (from 364,203 to 462,179). Employment of Cooks & Food Preparation Workers is expected to grow by 26.24%, Food Preparation Workers by 13.33%, Bartenders by 40.66%, and Housekeeping Cleaners by 16.49%[i].

Preliminary data and projections for 2020-2023 which better reflect the economic impact of COVID-19 on the Illinois economy, support the anticipated growth in the industry with employment of Cooks & Food Preparation Workers projected at 20.80%, Food Preparation Workers at 15.98%, Bartenders at 27.57%, and Housekeeping Cleaners at 15.00%. Food services and drinking places as an emerging leisure and hospitality industry project a 4.22% net employment change from 2018-2028 for Food Preparation and Serving Occupations.

No programs are as efficient or as effective as apprenticeships when it comes to impact for investment. Employers on average realize a return on investment of $1.47 for every $1 invested [ii]. Additionally, every $1 invested in apprenticeship leads to a public return of approximately $28 in benefits [ii].

UHCHI is uniquely positioned to support the expected industry growth. Working with our Community-based partnerships we attract new talent into the industry. With our Employer Partnerships we provide both training to our Apprentices and fulfill industry staffing needs.

Apprentice Earnings and Benefits

The minimum wage of our apprentices with one of our employer partners is $16.50/hr with most earning over $20/hr as their starting wage during the paid on-the-job portion of their training.

In its 2012 report, An Effective Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Registered Apprenticeship in 10 States, Mathematica concluded that significantly higher wages were realized for completers of registered apprenticeship programs. Including benefits, completers were estimated to earn an average of $301,533 more in compensation than nonparticipants over their careers.

By the time our participants complete their apprenticeship and receive their U.S. Department of Labor journey worker certifications, most are eligible for union benefits, including healthcare and pension.

Apprentice Earnings and Benefits

UHCHI Apprentices’ minimum wage

Higher than Chicago’s minimum wage

0 %

UHCHI Apprentices’ average starting wage

as of September 2023

$ 0 /hr

Employer Benefits

Reduced recruiting costs as UHCHI takes the lead in recruiting and training candidates. We work with our Employer Partners to determine the best mutual on-the-job training fit for our Apprentices.

The typical employer return on investment in registered apprenticeships when direct and indirect benefits are counted.

0 %

of apprentices retain employment after their training ends

0 %

Indirect Benefits of Apprenticeships

Reduced turnover
Improved pipeline of skilled employees
Development of future managers
Improved productivity of co-workers
Improved workplace culture
Employee engagement and loyalty
Reduced use of overtime
Reduced downtime

75.3% of accepted Apprentices complete our intensive 8-Week hands-on training

UHCHI has engaged with over

since 2021

0 people

146 Apprentices have been
accepted into the Chef de Partie
Apprentice program through
Sept. 2023

UHCHI currently partners with

Community Based Organizations

over 0

UHCHI Apprentices have completed

hours of on-the-job training through Sept. 2023

over 0

UHCHI's Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

With a commitment to equity and inclusion, the UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute (UHCHI) works closely with community partners to recruit individuals from traditionally underserved populations including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, veterans and justice-involved individuals.

· 92% of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are people of color, with 69% identifying as African American and 20% identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.

· While the culinary world at large is often dominated by men, over half (55%) of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices identify as female or non-binary.

· UHCHI serves students of all ages, however UHCHI has a strong record recruiting, training, and placing young people of color in unionized culinary positions. In fact, one in three UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are between the ages of 18-25.

· UHCHI believes in the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeships for all people, including justice-involved individuals. Over 10% of UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are returning citizens.

· Most (83%) UHCHI Culinary Apprentices are Chicago residents, whose unionized culinary career path uplift themselves, their families and the communities where they live.

UHCHI’s wrap around services and supportive environment means that students are set up to succeed. To further reduce barriers to success, UHCHI students receive additional digital, math, reading and ESL tutoring
through a partnership with Literacy Chicago. With the support of HIRE360
Chicago’s Barrier Reduction Fund, students who are parents can receive
financial support for childcare.

84.5% of UHCHI’s Culinary Apprentices are successfully placed in professional culinary positions, after completing the eight-week intensive U.S Department of Labor Registered Chef de Partie related training instruction.
UHCHI Culinary Apprentices earn on average upwards of $23 per hour with union benefits through UNITE HERE Local 1.