Apprentices highlight UNITE HERE's Culinary Apprenticeship program

Andrew Pitts and a trio of apprentices from UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute (UHCHI), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the apprenticeship program and the unique journeys each apprentice faced before finding their way into thriving careers at some of Chicago's top kitchens.

UHCHI was founded in 2017 as a Taft-Hartley trust, a joint endeavor by UNITE HERE Local 1 and employer partners to work together to build a pipeline of talent for the Hospitality and Tourism industry in the Chicagoland area. UHCHI is the only U.S. Department of Labor Registered Culinary Apprenticeship Program in Illinois and one of a handful of programs across the country. The program aims to recruit, train and place individuals into unionized culinary and hospitality careers at no cost to the apprentices. Pitts noted that 92 percent of apprentices are people of color, over half identify as female or non-binary, and one in 10 are returning citizens—individuals rejoining the general population after spending time incarcerated.

The conversation featured three UHCHI apprentices who shared their transformative experiences:

• Johnnie Tyler, a former inmate who cooked in prison for 11 cents an hour, has been receiving on-the-job experience at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago for a year. Tyler emphasized the program's supportive environment and the pride he feels in his new career.
• Lionell Bland, a U.S. Army veteran who experienced homelessness, said he found purpose and stability through UHCHI. He recently finished the initial eight-week intensive classroom training and is now working at the JW Marriott, earning on-the-job experience. He describes his experience as "a completely different world" from his previous circumstances.
• James Shabazz, a graduate of UHCHI’s apprenticeship program, made a career change from film production to culinary arts. He now works at the United Center — home to several professional Chicago sports teams— preparing meals for VIPs and professional athletes.

The three apprentices all emphasized the supportive nature of the UHCHI program and the opportunities it has provided. Pitts added that the program's success lies in its comprehensive approach, combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training at some of Chicago's most prestigious establishments. This model not only equips apprentices with practical skills but also provides them with valuable industry connections, he added.

Listen to the show above to hear more about these apprentices' journeys and the UHCHI. For more information on the institute and the apprenticeship program, visit uhchi.org.