Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship
Our Pre-Apprenticeship offers Colorado residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program also offers current school food staff the chance to learn new techniques and bring fresh ideas to their kitchens.
Ready to take the next step in your school food career? The application for our November Pre-Apprenticeship is now open: Apply by October 18.
Colorado Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship
Our Pre-Apprenticeship offers Colorado residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program also offers current school food staff the chance to learn new techniques and bring fresh ideas to their kitchens.
Ready to take the next step in your school food career? The application for our November Pre-Apprenticeship is now open: Apply by October 18.
Overview
The Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship will introduce participants to the opportunity for a mission-driven career in K-12 school food operations. Through this program, you will gain education, professional development, and hands-on experience to prepare you to apply for and secure a job with a local school district.
The 3-week Pre-Apprenticeship is offered at Boulder Valley School District, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Mesa County Valley School District 51, and Eaton School District.
The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school district. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon.
Overview
The Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship will introduce participants to the opportunity for a mission-driven career in K-12 school food operations. Through this program, you will gain education, professional development, and hands-on experience to prepare you to apply for and secure a job with a local school district.
The 3-week Pre-Apprenticeship is offered at Boulder Valley School District, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Mesa County Valley School District 51, and Eaton School District.
The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school district. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon.
Program Components
The Pre-Apprenticeship is a three-week program that includes:
- 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 8 hours (2 hours pre-reading, 2 hours homework, and 4 hours online learning)
- School Food 101
- Ingredients for Healthier Kids
- ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
- 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
- Why Scratch Cooking is So Important & How to Succeed in a School Food Workplace
- Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 district: 8 hours
Pre-Apprentices also have the opportunity to work closely with Chef Ann Foundation staff, who provide personalized support every step of the way. If you have questions about the CO Pre-Apprenticeship, please email us at [email protected].
Participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.
Program Components
The Pre-Apprenticeship is a three-week program that includes:
- 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 8 hours (2 hours pre-reading, 2 hours homework, and 4 hours online learning)
- School Food 101
- Ingredients for Healthier Kids
- ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
- 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
- Why Scratch Cooking is So Important & How to Succeed in a School Food Workplace
- Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 district: 8 hours
Pre-Apprentices also have the opportunity to work closely with Chef Ann Foundation staff, who provide personalized support every step of the way. If you have questions about the CO Pre-Apprenticeship, please email us at [email protected].
Participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.
Compensation
Colorado Pre-Apprentices are paid $15.16 per hour for virtual and work-based learning. This rate is subject to change based on county minimum wages.
- Individuals who are not already employed by a school food program will participate in both virtual and work-based learning in a K–12 school district (20.5 hours over three weeks).
- Current school food employees will participate in virtual learning components only (12.5 hours over three weeks).
Compensation
Colorado Pre-Apprentices are paid $15.16 per hour for virtual and work-based learning. This rate is subject to change based on county minimum wages.
- Individuals who are not already employed by a school food program will participate in both virtual and work-based learning in a K–12 school district (20.5 hours over three weeks).
- Current school food employees will participate in virtual learning components only (12.5 hours over three weeks).
Program Timelines
Our program application is now open!
October 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship
- Application close date: Sept 20, 2026
- Interviews completed: Sept 23, 2026
- Onboarding: Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2026
- Program begins: Oct 5, 2026
- Program ends: Oct 23, 2026
November 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship
- Application close date: Oct 18, 2026
- Interviews completed: Oct 21, 2026
- Onboarding: Oct 26 - Oct 30, 2026
- Program begins: Nov 2, 2026
- Program ends: Nov 20, 2026
Program Timelines
Our program application is now open!
October 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship
- Application close date: Sept 20, 2026
- Interviews completed: Sept 23, 2026
- Onboarding: Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2026
- Program begins: Oct 5, 2026
- Program ends: Oct 23, 2026
November 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship
- Application close date: Oct 18, 2026
- Interviews completed: Oct 21, 2026
- Onboarding: Oct 26 - Oct 30, 2026
- Program begins: Nov 2, 2026
- Program ends: Nov 20, 2026
Resources for Prospective Applicants
Interested in learning more? Check out these downloadable resources.
Chef Ann Foundation will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. Chef Ann Foundation will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.
The Chef Ann Foundation is recognized as a Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary by Apprenticeship Colorado. This distinction recognizes apprenticeship operators for their contributions to Colorado's dynamic Registered Apprenticeship system as a strategy to accelerate the growth of high-quality job opportunities in the state and attract new talent to in-demand occupations.
The Chef Ann Foundation is recognized as a Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary by Apprenticeship Colorado. This distinction recognizes apprenticeship operators for their contributions to Colorado's dynamic Registered Apprenticeship system as a strategy to accelerate the growth of high-quality job opportunities in the state and attract new talent to in-demand occupations.
