Helping Alaska Hospitality Employers Train, Retain, and Grow Their Teams
In an industry where staffing, training access, and employee retention remain ongoing challenges, the Alaska CHARR Educational Fund continues to provide practical workforce development resources for Alaska’ s hospitality industry. Through STEP Grant funding, apprenticeship development, and scholarship support, the Educational Fund helps eligible Alaskans access industry-recognized training and career- building opportunities while helping employers strengthen their teams.
STEP GRANT
From July 1, 2025, through June 1, 2026, STEP Grant funding administered by the Educational Fund supported 477 industry-recognized certifications for Alaska hospitality workers and job seekers. For Alaska CHARR members and hospitality employers, these programs are more than an Educational Fund update; they are resources that can help businesses train employees, reduce barriers to certification, support retention, and create career pathways for staff who are ready to grow. Training for Alcohol Professionals and ServSafe Food Protection Manager remain important across Alaska’ s restaurant, bar, hotel, tourism, and food service industries. The potential of STEP funding also reaches beyond required certifications by supporting online ServSafe and ServSuccess training modules that can be completed from anywhere in Alaska. These online options are valuable for employees ready to grow beyond entry-level requirements and continue developing skills in food safety, hospitality service, workplace readiness, leadership development, and career advancement. They also reduce barriers related to travel, scheduling, and limited local class availability.
477
industry-recognized certifications supported
July 1, 2025- June 1, 2026
ONLINE TRAINING
ServSafe and ServSuccess modules provide flexible, career-building options from anywhere in Alaska.
APPRENTICESHIP
APPRENTICESHIP
The Educational Fund is also continuing to support hospitality career pathways through apprenticeship development. As Alaska’ s State Restaurant Association and apprenticeship sponsor, Alaska CHARR works with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’ s Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center apprenticeship programs to connect employers and employees with structured, industry-recognized training opportunities.
Apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job learning with related technical instruction. This year, the Educational Fund celebrated an exciting milestone: Alaska’ s first apprentice completing the Line Cook Apprenticeship program. For employers, apprenticeship offers a practical tool for developing employees, strengthening retention, and building an intentional pipeline for future leaders.
CHARLES H. SELMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Structured on-the-job learning helps employers build talent pipelines and retain skilled team members.
SCHOLARSHIP
The CHS Memorial Scholarship Program supports future hospitality professionals.
The Educational Fund also supports the next generation of hospitality professionals through the Charles H. Selman Memorial Scholarship Program. Scholarship funding helps students pursue education and training connected to hospitality, culinary arts, tourism, business, and related career fields. The Fund is currently gearing up for its main annual scholarship fundraiser, the CHS Memorial Golf Tournament. Updates on this year’ s scholarship recipients and tournament impact will be shared iin the next issue
LOOKING AHEAD
As Alaska’ s hospitality industry continues to face workforce challenges, the Educational Fund remains committed to practical, accessible, and industry-relevant training solutions. By supporting compliance training, online career-building modules, regional access, apprenticeship pathways, and scholarship opportunities, the Educational Fund is helping Alaskans gain the skills, certifications, and experience needed to succeed.
LEARN MORE
Alaska CHARR Educational Fund 907-274-8133 907-217-8138 STEP @ alaskacharr. com
The Alaska CHARR Educational Fund receives STEP( State Training and Employment Program) grant funding, which funds approximately 60 %($ 200,000) of the program. Thank you to the State of Alaska, Workforce Investment Board, for supporting the Alaska hospitality industry.
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