ApprenticeshipNH, the workforce program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, continues to help address the need for trained workers in sectors across the state’s economy with a new partnership and an expanded one.

The new partnership is with Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, which is joining with Nashua Community College and Great Bay Community College to begin offering a Restaurant Cook Registered Apprenticeship program through ApprenticeshipNH.

Using ApprenticeshipNH’s “earn while you learn” model, apprentices will get the opportunity to begin a career in the culinary industry while completing coursework, developing new skills and simultaneously earning a wage, enabling Wentworth by the Sea Hotel to fill in-demand culinary positions.

“Creating a partnership with a historic grand resort like Wentworth by the Sea Hotel will bring outstanding opportunities to area students looking for employment in a world-class property in the hospitality industry,” said Tracey Jackson, CCSNH ApprenticeshipNH grant manager.

The three-year Restaurant Cook program combines over 6,000 hours of on-the-job training for restaurant and line cooks with 478 hours of coursework in culinary at NCC and in hospital ity at GBCC. Each apprentice will be paired with a chef mentor at Wentworth by the Sea Hotel who will support them through each stage of the program to learn and master planning, preparing and cooking a variety of meals. As a competency-based program, apprentices will have the opportunity for progressive wage increases.

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for cooks is projected to grow 26 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations and signaling strong employment opportunities.

“Wentworth by the Sea Hotel began exploring apprenticeship opportunities in 2019 and was ready to finalize the registered apprenticeship program, but it was forced to be put on hold,” said the hotel’s executive chef, Lee Michael. “Partnering with CCSNH and ApprenticeshipNH will allow us to fill critical culinary roles at Wentworth by the Sea Hotel during our busy summer season.”

As for the expanded partnership, Concord Hospital will begin offering two medical assistant Registered Apprenticeship programs through ApprenticeshipNH.

The new program will be offered at the hospital’s facilities in Concord and Laconia, with related classroom instruction at NHTI and Lakes Region Community College. The programs are designed to prepare students to become certified clinical medical assistants and help to fill indemand positions.

The program includes 480 hours of instruction at LRCC or NHTI, along with 3,600 hours of onthe-job training at Concord Hospital medical offices, where apprentices will practice clinical and administrative skills working under the supervision of a mentor. Following successful completion of the program, apprentices are eligible for continued employment with Concord Hospital’s primary care or specialty practices.

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for cooks is projected to grow 26 percent from 2020 to 2030.