Start An Apprenticeship Program

Choosing this timeless traditional process of learning to become a chef is filled with rewards. With the ability to train your own staff to industry standards, as well as to increase staff retention rate, the ACFEF Apprenticeship program offers various choices on how to create the best apprenticeship program for your organization.

There will be much to decide and the steps below will help to get started along with the operation manual which has step by step instructions and descriptions as to what the ACFEF National Apprenticeship Committee requires. Existing programs may contact the ACF national office to request an updated operation manual.

Step 1:

Know which type of apprenticeship program best fits your organization. ACFEF offers four programs including a basic skills 1,000 hour, two year (4,000 hour), three year (6,000 hour) program or a Hybrid model.

Step 2:

Decide where the apprentice will be working (sponsoring house) and how best to deliver the related instruction, from a school to online classes. All of this is customizable to match your needs.

Step 3:

The ACFEF partnered with the US Department of Labor. In order to become a recognized apprenticeship program you must register with the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA) or State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA). You will need to submit your apprenticeship standards. The two links below direct you to the state DOL contact depending on your state:

Office of Apprenticeship State Offices Contact Information

State Apprenticeship Agencies Contact Information

Step 4:

Apply to become a program by completing the application form and include the non-refundable program registration fee. These following documents are also required to begin:

• Copy of the Certificate of Program Registration from the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) or State Apprentice Agency (SAA)
• A list of Apprenticeship Committee Members and their job title
• A copy of initial minutes for the apprenticeship committee meeting
• List of sponsoring houses/restaurants qualified for apprentice training
• List of qualified Supervising Chefs at these sponsoring houses
• A copy of Apprentice Handbook
• A copy of the related instruction curriculum for the apprentice program
  

Step 5:

Schedule a site visit to your program during the first year.

For more information, please email us at Apprenticeship@acfchefs.net or call us at (800) 624-9458.