Who is eligible to apply for the job training? Young adults age 18-24, living in the city of Chicago who want to work in a culinary or food service career. No prior training or degree is necessary. Young adults with backgrounds can apply and will be considered. When will the job training occur and how long is it? The next cohort will begin in January, 2026 and run through April, 2025- Applications will open in October.. Class are held Monday through Thursday, 9am to 4pm. Each 12-week cohort consists of two sections: 8-weeks of training followed by a 4-week paid internship. Full attendance is mandatory.
Where will it be held? The training will be held in the Impact Culinary kitchen at The Hatchery, located at 135 N. Kedzie Avenue. Internships will take place in restaurants around the Chicagoland area, Hours will vary based on the operation's hours of service.
What will I learn? This program will help prepare you for an entry-level job at a restaurant to start your career, such as prep cook or kitchen assistant. This includes: food handling and sanitation, job readiness skills, resume writing, food preparation, equipment identification, knife skills, recipe development, product identification, and cooking methods.
What kind of job could I be eligible for after completing the training? Prep cook, line cook, or other food and beverage positions.
How much does it cost? There is no cost for the training, as the tuition is paid for by our donors. Will I receive help to find a job? While we do not guarantee jobs, many of our employers will grant graduates the opportunity to interview for positions they qualify for. We are proud to share that 82% of our graduates are offered jobs upon the completion of their internship.
How do I apply? After you've read our FAQs, click any of the APPLY NOW buttons to start your application. Due to a limited number of spots per class, applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. What happens after I apply? Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will need to schedule an interview. Next steps will be shared with you via email.
Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. If you’re excited about this opportunity, believe you’d be a good fit for IMPACT, and would be available for the hours of training and internship, we encourage you to apply.