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[iii].
[i] Illinois Workforce Investment Board’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan[ii] U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)[iii] USDOL 2022 report: Do Employers Earn Positive Returns to Investments in Apprenticeships? Evidence from Registered Programs under the American Apprenticeship Initiative
