The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the hospitality and food service industry in Southern California and across the country. Hundreds of thousands of hospitality and food service professionals are out of work and major employers are closed for regular business. At the same time, many populations affected by the virus need access to high quality meals, including front-line workers, COVID-19 patients, at-risk seniors, and people experiencing homelessness (PEH).

Since April 2020, the HTA, UNITE HERE Local 11, and participating employers, have partnered on “Serving Our Community,” a program to return hundreds of culinary professionals to safely create high quality meals for those affected by the public health crisis. The City and County of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) have contracted with the HTA to oversee the production of more than 68,000 meals per week for at-risk seniors as well as people experiencing homelessness (PEH) housed by Project Roomkey. In addition, the HTA has employed physically distanced online instruction to train hospitality professionals in state-of-the-art cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation.

“Serving Our Community” has made it possible for a number of key employers to stay open and for union members to return to kitchens. Looking forward, the HTA is poised to ensure that our culinary professionals are trained and ready to safely cook under the new realities of the public health crisis.

Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites Los Angeles

Changing Lives with Good Jobs in the Hospitality Industry

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At the Hospitality Training Academy (HTA), we train low-income and underserved populations to obtain employment in the hospitality and food service industry and to move up the career ladder to the middle class.

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Our Programs

We offer a variety of training programs that offer workers the tools to succeed by providing skills and customer service training, Vocational ESL classes, skills upgrades, vocational classes and “bridge training” to move participants into entry-level jobs, and then a career.

Hospitality / LAX Worker

Learn the basics of customer service and safe food handling for entry-level positions at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) including: server, host, cashier, fast food attendant, utility worker and busser. This is a great starting point for those interested in hospitality careers!

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Barista

This course teaches the foundation and history of coffee making and barista techniques on our state-of-the-art barista machines. Participants will be ready for jobs at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and hotel properties across Los Angeles.

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Culinary Apprenticeship

Become a certified Line Cook through our 8-week apprenticeship program, which offers quality classroom instruction from industry professionals, along with practical, hands on experience for culinary positions in a variety of kitchens at hotels, restaurants, and airport concessions.

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Room Attendant Apprenticeship

Become a certified Room Attendant through our 5-week apprenticeship program that prepares participants for housekeeping positions in upscale hotels throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.

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Vocational ESL

Learn American workplace culture, conversational ESL and technical skills for entry-level position at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as well as hotels. Students will receive assistance with resume writing and interview skills to help build their confidence to get a job.

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Bartender

Learn through a combination of instruction and practical, hands-on work. We will teach you how to properly prepare a variety of drinks while demonstrating excellent customer service and knowledge of safety and sanitation procedures.

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Take a closer look of the Culinary Apprenticeship

Meet Kayla Wilson, Culinary Apprenticeship Success Story!

Contributing Employer Partners

Funding Partners

State of California – Employment Training Panel

State of California – Workforce Development Board

L.A. Care Health Plan Community Benefit Programs

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Upcoming Info Sessions

Gain new skills in hospitality. Learn from experienced instructors. Build your career! Come learn about exciting training opportunities at no cost to you!

All orientation sessions are suspended until further notice.

For the safety of our students, clients, instructors, and staff, all three of the HTA Offices are currently closed. We hope to begin providing online training instruction in the near future. Please keep checking the website and social media for updates.