Hospitality service provider Creative Dining Services knew that accessing Going PRO Talent Fund training dollars would open opportunities for upskilling and improved employee retention. When Corporate Culinary Training Coordinator Jay Sharkey went to meet with West Michigan Works!, however, an optimal solution surfaced- a USDOL apprenticeship.
The key to this new solution was in the USDOL apprenticeship program’s ability to unlock other funding opportunities with no charge to Creative Dining Services or its staff thanks to grant funding. This opportunity also offered a flexible program that upskills staff to help them reach their highest potential.
Jay and his team knew this was what they needed to bolster their organization. To make it happen, Jay partnered with Apprenticeship Success Coordinator Samantha Hinkle and created the company’s new sous chef apprenticeship. Their training provider of choice, Rouxbe, offered flexible and scalable online training courses already trusted by 700,000 students and 2,000 professional kitchens.
“The training provided by Rouxbe is completed by the apprentice at their own speed, allowing for apprentices to learn hands on from mentors who have been in the culinary industry for many years,” Samantha Hinkle described. “The training is affordable, and students apply what is learned in their training to their job and vice versa. This kind of training flexibility and customization is key in any successful apprenticeship.”
Creating Dining Services then began their new sous chef apprenticeship with 12 staff as students. One of the culinarians, Anthony Lehnen, began his training while working at Aquinas College. “It’s easier to learn new things through the course since you’re already cooking every day for your regular day job,” he shared. “I can do most of the computer work during my down time during summer when students aren’t in class.”
Anthony Lehnen and the rest of his cohort are expected to complete their courses by March 2027. So far, their work with mentors and in the kitchen has been “going great” according to Samantha Hinkle. Creative Dining Services also began their second cohort in November, with members slated to complete their courses in November 2027. They, too, have been acclimating well to the program and are thrilled to see how their new skillset and experiences will help their careers flourish.
Invigorate your staff with an apprenticeship program
Creative Dining Services’ story is just one example of how West Michigan Works! and its apprenticeship programs are a proven tool for upskilling your workforce while reducing turnover.
Just last fiscal year alone, our Business Solutions team facilitated a $350,000 investment in our communities through assisting 109 employers set up USDOL registered apprenticeships across construction, healthcare, manufacturing, IT and other industries. Business Solutions also develops new apprenticeships, launching the first Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program nationwide a decade ago—which has since graduated 170 apprentices.
Count on West Michigan Works! to create customized workforce solutions for you by leveraging training funds to bring you new hire, incumbent worker and registered apprenticeship training options. They will even handle your apprenticeship approval process while you supervise and mentor your apprentices- all while retaining full control over your company’s program.
Interested? Get started today by emailing our apprenticeship team below!
