Apprenticeship
PROGRAMS
At Kitchens for Good we believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed. We offer California State-Certified apprenticeship training in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Customer Service designed to help individuals facing barriers to employment gain the skills needed to create sustainable careers. Our tuition-free apprenticeship training programs provide hands-on training and expert instruction from experienced chefs.
As an Apprentice, you will learn valuable skills and receive the support and resources needed to launch a sustainable career in the industry. So why wait? Join us and start your apprenticeship journey today.
Baking
Launch your dream career by gaining the foundation to succeed in the baking industry.
Culinary
Begin your culinary journey, learning the skills you need to excel in a professional kitchen.
Customer Service
Learn the skills needed to launch your career in hospitality and food service management.
Benefits of Our
Apprenticeship Training
- Tuition-free, hands-on Apprenticeship training from industry professionals
- Weekly stipends during skills training
- Transportation support for 12 months
- Uniforms and tools needed to perform professionally
- San Diego Food handlers’ certificate
- Paid on-the-job training in the San Diego area
- With Kitchens for Good Employer Partner
- Supported Job Search
- 12 months of career coaching and customized support services
- A career with starting compensation well above minimum wage + possible benefits
Application & Training
TIMELINE
Apply
Apply online and join us for an in-person tryout.
Initial Foundational Skills Training
You’ll attend free, full-time, foundational skill training in your chosen program. Apprenticeship training also covers essential career skills such as effective communication, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques. Kitchens for Good provides a 50-day stipend, transportation support, and individual case management to help you stay on track to complete the program.
- 3-Week Training Schedule: Need to start working sooner? This schedule covers the basics of our program over three weeks. Then, you’ll move into on-the-job training and return to Kitchens for Good periodically to finish your on-campus training.
- 10-Week Training Schedule – Want to focus on your classroom training before starting work? With this schedule, you’ll have a chance to spend more time with your instructors and classmates before you start on-the-job training gaining more hands-on skills sooner.
On-The-Job Training
9-11 months – After completing foundational skills training and demonstrating your grasp of key concepts, you’ll move into on-the-job training. We’ll assist you in securing a paid, full or part-time position with a food service employer in San Diego County. Kitchens for Good staff will check in with you monthly to provide ongoing coaching. We’ll help ensure that you remain employed, your wages increase, and you take advantage of opportunities for career advancement.
Earn your Apprenticeship Certificate
Once you complete 360 hours of on-campus training, and 9-11 months on-the-job training, and pass a competency test, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the State of California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). This certification is an important accomplishment that improves your future employability and earning potential.
Apprenticeship Training
FAQ
An Apprenticeship is a combination of classroom and technical instruction and related on-the-job training which takes place under the supervision of an experienced professional. This allows individuals to learn all the important aspects of a skilled occupation.
Apprentices are eligible for a 50-day training stipend (paid weekly) for on-campus training days. After the initial training program, the goal for you is to secure a full-time/part-time position.
Kitchens for Good’s Apprenticeship programs are tuition-free. As mentioned above, Apprentices also receive a 50-day training stipend (paid weekly). Apprentices also receive monthly transportation assistance (bus pass or gas card) and free breakfast/lunch on on-site training days.
- Culinary/Baking: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm; most Wednesdays, 8:30am-12:30pm
- Customer Service: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm; Some weekend/night opportunities with notice.
- Apprenticeships are a proven approach for preparing workers for jobs while meeting the needs of businesses for a skilled workforce. It is an “earn while you learn” model that combines job-related instruction, designed so that students achieve skill competencies according to national standards, with on-the-job training. The model also involves progressive increases in Apprentices’ skills and wages.
- Middle-skill jobs, which require education beyond high school but not a four-year degree, make up the largest part of the labor market in the United States and in California. Many industries are often unable to find enough sufficiently trained workers to fill these jobs. Apprenticeships are a flexible training strategy that can be customized to meet the needs of both workers and employers.
No, Kitchens for Good offers the course as part of the initial training. If you pass the test, you will receive a San Diego County Food Handlers Card. You do not need to purchase the training on your own. All accepted students will take the test on campus.
No, they are separate state-certified Apprenticeship programs, and you are only able to participate in one Apprenticeship at a time. Once you have completed one of the 12-month Apprenticeships and have worked for one additional year, then you can apply for a second Apprenticeship.
- Apply Online or request a hardcopy application from a staff member
- Wait for an eligibility screening call.
- If eligible, you’ll be invited in for a try-out interview.
- Try out includes: One hour informational session + 1.5 hour physical activity.
- After a successful try out, you’ll have a screening phone call with one of our case managers to ensure the program is a good fit for you.
- Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis.
- If accepted, you’ll be invited for a final in-person enrollment session.
- You must bring an original ID and SNN card for enrollment purposes.
