Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship
Our Pre-Apprenticeship program offers Colorado residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program is also for current school food employees who want to gain new skills.
The application for the 2025-2026 Pre-Apprenticeship will be open throughout the school year.
Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship
Our Pre-Apprenticeship program offers Colorado residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program is also for current school food employees who want to gain new skills.
The application for the 2025-2026 Pre-Apprenticeship will be open throughout the school year.
Overview
The Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship is a paid professional development opportunity that gives you an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked school food. You will spend three weeks developing your culinary skills and school food knowledge through virtual and work-based, in-person program components.
Overview
The Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship is a paid professional development opportunity that gives you an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked school food. You will spend three weeks developing your culinary skills and school food knowledge through virtual and work-based, in-person program components.
Program Components
The Pre-Apprenticeship is a 3-week program that is offered monthly throughout the 2025-2026 school year. It includes:
- 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 8 hours (2 hours pre-reading, 2 hours homework, and 4 hours online learning)
- ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
- 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
- Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 district: 8 hours
The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school district. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon.
Participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.
Pre-Apprentices who gain employment with a host district can move into the 9-month School Food Specialist Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship is available twice per year (January and August), and includes:
- Virtual coursework (asynchronous and synchronous)
- Mentorship from a school food journeyworker
- 24 hours/week (min.) of paid work in a school food program, with progressive wage advancement
- Seven college credits with Emily Griffith Technical College, which can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree for Apprentices.
Program Components
The Pre-Apprenticeship is a 3-week program that is offered monthly throughout the 2025-2026 school year. It includes:
- 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 8 hours (2 hours pre-reading, 2 hours homework, and 4 hours online learning)
- ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
- 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
- Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 district: 8 hours
The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school district. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon.
Participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.
Pre-Apprentices who gain employment with a host district can move into the 9-month School Food Specialist Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship is available twice per year (January and August), and includes:
- Virtual coursework (asynchronous and synchronous)
- Mentorship from a school food journeyworker
- 24 hours/week (min.) of paid work in a school food program, with progressive wage advancement
- Seven college credits with Emily Griffith Technical College, which can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree for Apprentices.
Compensation
Pre-Apprentices are paid $14.81 per hour for up to 20.5 hours of virtual and work-based learning. This rate is subject to change based on county minimum wages.
- Current school food employees will participate in virtual learning components only (12.5 hours over three weeks).
Compensation
Pre-Apprentices are paid $14.81 per hour for up to 20.5 hours of virtual and work-based learning. This rate is subject to change based on county minimum wages.
- Current school food employees will participate in virtual learning components only (12.5 hours over three weeks).
Resources
Interested in learning more? Check out these downloadable resources.
Chef Ann Foundation will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. Chef Ann Foundation will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
