Finding and keeping skilled employees remains one of the biggest challenges in hospitality. While the restaurant workforce has recovered from the pandemic overall, growth has slowed, and staffing gaps persist. In full-service restaurants, for instance, employment remains 212,000 jobs (or 3.7%) below February 2020 levels. High turnover and ongoing staffing challenges demonstrate why many employers are seeking more sustainable ways to attract and retain talent.
Employer-sponsored education programs like Work & Learn can offer a practical solution. By combining on-the-job experience with nationally accredited culinary education, these programs help businesses develop skilled, loyal teams.
Sources: “Total restaurant industry jobs,” National Restaurant Association, “8 Reasons Why Skills Training is Key to Economic Prosperity,” National Skills Coalition, “The Hidden Costs of Undertrained Restaurant Staff: Why Investing in Training Pays Off,” Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions.
Employer-sponsored education programs are not new, but in today’s tight labor market, they can offer businesses a strategic way to attract and retain talent. Research shows that 94% of workers would stay longer at a company that invests in their learning and development.
Under U.S. tax law, employers can offer up to $5,250 per employee per year in tax-free educational assistance through qualified programs. Depending on the program, these funds may cover tuition, fees, books, and sometimes even supplies, making them a potentially cost-effective way for companies to help workers advance their education. Employers should familiarize themselves with education tax benefits and consult a tax professional.
In most cases, employers either provide tuition reimbursement (employees pay upfront, then are reimbursed after completing coursework) or direct tuition assistance (employers pay schools directly). These programs can include broad tuition assistance benefits as well as specialized partnerships with schools—like Work & Learn, which combines formal culinary education with on-the-job experience.
Unlike traditional tuition assistance programs that simply reimburse college costs, Work & Learn integrates education directly into the workplace. Offered through Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions, this program is designed specifically for culinary and hospitality employers looking to grow talent from within.
Here’s what can make Work & Learn practical for professionals:
Employers can also gain access to scholarship opportunities for their teams. Employees are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship upon enrollment, with potential employer-matching tuition assistance up to $5,250 per year. This combination of education and immediate, hands-on application can benefit everyone involved.
What really makes the Work & Learn program unique is that you can take that industrial setting and you can take that formal education and really marry the two. That’s the best benefit for the employer, the employee, and the consumer at the end of the day.”
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Employer-sponsored education programs can be powerful tools that directly impact employee motivation, engagement, and career growth. According to research from Harvard Business Review, 91% of surveyed business leaders agree that tuition assistance (TA) programs provide a competitive advantage by upskilling the workforce. Additionally, 89% recognize the strategic value of offering TA benefits within their industry.
91% of surveyed business leaders say tuition assistance gives a competitive advantage.
89% see strategic value in offering it.
Source: “Realizing and Unlocking the Strategic Value of Tuition Assistance Benefits,” Harvard Business Review
These programs can help employees develop skills while alleviating the financial burden or career interruptions often associated with returning to school. Access to education can foster confidence and clear career paths, which can lead to improved performance and stronger loyalty to employers. Employees who use tuition benefits often feel more valued by their employers, which can strengthen loyalty and long-term engagement.
However, balancing work and study remains a challenge: 45% of respondents with active TA programs report that employees feel they lack sufficient time to pursue education while working.
| Statement | % Agree |
| TA programs give organizations a competitive advantage | 91% |
| TA benefits have strategic value in the industry | 89% |
| Employees lack time to pursue education while working | 45% |
Source: “Realizing and Unlocking the Strategic Value of Tuition Assistance Benefits,” Harvard Business Review
Offering flexible learning options and financial support can help employees overcome these hurdles, paving the way for meaningful career growth without the financial burden.
“The online program worked best for me because I could do my full-time job and be a full-time student. It was easy because it was flexible. I took off, spread my wings, and never looked back,”* says Cassie Wallace, an Escoffier Online Baking & Pastry graduate and owner of Joan and Pearl’s Bakery.
*This information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors such as geographical region or previous experience.
For many workers, career advancement isn’t about earning a four-year degree—it’s about gaining the right skills. By 2031, 72% of jobs will require postsecondary education and/or training. Of those jobs, 42% will require at least a bachelor’s degree, while only 28% will be available to workers with a high school diploma or less. That leaves about 30% of U.S. jobs that will require middle-skills credentials, such as associate degrees, certificates, and vocational training beyond high school but not a bachelor’s degree. This growing demand for postsecondary education and training creates both challenges and opportunities for workers and employers alike.
Workforce data compiled by the National Skills Coalition highlights why employer-sponsored programs like Work & Learn are so valuable:
Skills training leads to better pay
Training increases retention and saves money
Workers want these opportunities
| The Value of Skills Training | Impact on Workers & Businesses |
| 52% of jobs require training beyond high school (but not a 4-year degree) | Only 43% of workers have had access to the training they need |
| Workers who upskill earn 8.6% more on average | Digital skills can add $8K/year or increase wages 45% for advanced skills |
Source: “8 Reasons Why Skills Training is Key to Economic Prosperity,” National Skills Coalition
According to Gallup’s American Job Quality Study, employees who participated in development programs such as mentorship showed significantly higher job satisfaction—48% reported high satisfaction levels compared to just 29% of those who did not participate in such programs.
Other research reinforces just how powerful learning opportunities can be for retention:
Source: “8 Reasons Why Skills Training is Key to Economic Prosperity,” National Skills Coalition
By offering structured programs like Work & Learn, employers can help employees feel valued and motivated, while avoiding the steep costs of high turnover.
Employer-sponsored education programs aren’t just perks. They can deliver measurable business benefits, from reducing costly turnover to improving profits and competitive positioning in a tight labor market.
Education benefits signal to prospective employees that an organization is committed to long-term career development—a competitive differentiator in talent acquisition.
When your employees are confident they’re building a career, they’re gonna want to work harder. They’re gonna want to do their job better. They’re gonna want to improve every day.”
Education incentives can make a company’s benefits package stronger and more attractive to employees who are eager to grow in their careers, creating a competitive advantage in talent acquisition and retention.
Employer-sponsored education programs can contribute to improved employee retention and engagement by supporting skill development and career advancement. Such programs may help businesses build a workforce better prepared to adapt to industry changes and evolving operational needs.
Through Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions, employees have the opportunity to pursue nationally accredited culinary and hospitality degrees or diplomas while continuing their employment. This investment in your team might not only strengthen your workforce and retention, but also set your business apart as a leader in talent development.
Getting started is straightforward. Employers begin with a 30-minute stakeholder meeting to align on goals and partnership structure, then sign a subscriber agreement for $500 per year. The process typically takes about a month for payment processing and alignment. Once the agreement is in place, employees can start enrolling for the next available class start. An Admissions representative typically connects with interested employees the same day they submit information, and new class sessions begin every six weeks.
Ready to support your employees’ growth and elevate your business? Contact Auguste Escoffier Global Solutions today to learn more about Work & Learn and our full range of workforce development solutions.
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