Grants Available for Hospitality Training For Skills to Help Workers Advance
(HTIM, Jan. 11, 2024)
The Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan (HTIM) kicked off the first round of its 2024 Hospitality Business Management course this week. The course, a 12-week comprehensive job skills course, is a $2,500 value that has been offered at no cost to the first 2,000 program registrants. As an additional incentive, HTIM will also provide a $500 stipend to each graduate who successfully completes the course.
January class offerings reached capacity at record rates, with nearly 600 students participating statewide. Classes are being offered at 20 sites across the state both virtually and in-person throughout 2024, so interested students are encouraged to continue to apply.
“Hospitality is a leading industry in Michigan and the HTIM program provides an unprecedented opportunity for residents to advance their career,” said Justin Winslow, president of the HTIM Board of Directors. “We’re thrilled to see this sort of community engagement for Michigan hospitality. Our teams are learning the skills necessary to develop into new roles and step up for Michigan.”
MRLA launched HTIM in 2023 to about 100 students to provide restaurant and hotel workers with the skills needed to advance in their careers. With the support of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development, HTIM has expanded this year to reach additional Michiganders looking for a rewarding and high-paying career.
“As a graduate of the HTIM program, I was able to increase my certifications and develop my skillset to provide the best guest experience possible, allowing me to step into the next role in my career,” said Austin Smith, restaurant manager of Bordeaux. “The HTIM program gave me the confidence in my work to move to the next level.”
Upon completion of the course, participants will earn nationally recognized certifications including ServSafe Manager certifications, national Hospitality Supervisor certifications, as well as unconscious bias, mental health and sexual harassment trainings and more, and will be equipped with the skills to be a leader in the industry. Graduates of HTIM’s 12-week program will have built their skills in financial management, guest experience, team and employee management, conflict management, food safety and responsible alcohol service.
Michigan’s hospitality industry creates nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales and employs 12.8% of Michigan’s workforce, or nearly half a million residents. In 2023, there were 159 hotel general manager job postings in Michigan with a median salary of $64,000, and 434 restaurant general manager postings with a median salary of $70,000. As an integral part of Michigan’s economy, the HTIM program provides an avenue for employees to grow and develop, building a stronger workforce here in Michigan.
Interested students and employers are encouraged to register for the class session of their choosing or find more information about the HTIM Hospitality Business Management course by visiting HTIM.com/stepup. For optimal experience, residents are encouraged to submit their application on a desktop or tablet device. For those experiencing errors on mobile devices, contact HTIM at info@htim.com for assistance.
