The STEP Fund’s training and education program offers a wide variety of courses for union members and for their family members. Class offerings are determined by the Board of Trustees and the STEP Director and are subject to change based on employee and employer needs.
Typical courses offered include:
- Culinary Upskilling/Technique Classes
- Baking and Pastry
- Catering Entrepreneur (Business and culinary classes designed to help workers build a side venture)
- ServSafe Food Handler
- ServSafe Manager (needed for your food license)
- AllerTrain Lite (food allergy certification)
- TIPS Alcohol Safety
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Introduction to Computers
- Customer Service Skills
- Team Building
- Other short workshops
Check our page often for new class offerings.
How to Register
Find the class you’re interested in and submit the application. You will receive a text message or email from STEP asking you to confirm your attendance. Please read our “no call no show policy”!
Upcoming Classes
View AllServSafe Food Handler and AllerTrain Lite
Food Safety Day
Leadership and Professional Development 1
Leadership Styles, Handle Conflicts, Persuade Others
ESOL (English for Beginners)
Fish & Shellfish
Cuisine: Spain and Portugal (Skills: Identifying fish and shellfish, filleting, deep frying, steaming)
ServSafe Manager
You don’t have to be a manager! But you do have to come both days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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STEP’s job training classes are focused on the skills and knowledge needed for work in the food service industry: we cover customer service, kitchen skills, food safety. Our other classes include: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Leadership; Introduction to Digital Literacy. Some of these classes may be restricted to eligible UNITE HERE Local 23 members (and sometimes their family members) who work for a participating employer. We do not offer classes in other sectors.
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All of our classes are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
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External, industry recognized certification classes and exams are part of our Job Training programs. Eligible UNITE HERE Local 23 members may also register for any of our scheduled Food Safety or Alcohol service classes.
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Some of our job seeker classes may include a student stipend. There is no need for tuition assistance since the classes are free. If you are a UNITE HERE Local 23 DC member looking for tuition reimbursement assistance for a class you have taken elsewhere (such as a community college, university, or vocational program) or want to support a scholarship application for a child or grandchild, please click here.
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This is up to you and your employer to discuss.
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Many classes are restricted to eligible members of UNITE HERE Local 23 and sometimes their family members. Others are created specifically for under/un-employed community (or union) members whose goal includes obtaining a position with one of STEP’s partner employers.
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Please check the class in question. This answer varies by class.
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The attendance policy depends on the class. Our Job Training classes have strict attendance requirements that will be explained to you when you apply. They may vary based on the class length.
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Yes. While we understand that emergencies happen, we reserve the right to restrict your future registration to waitlisting/standby if you fail to inform us at least 24 hours in advance that you will not be able to attend class. We often have classes with waitlists, and failure to give advance notice means that we are unable to offer the open seat to another member. We strongly urge you to first check in with your manager to make sure that you are able to call off work if necessary for attendance. Please review our no call no show policy.
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Classes for UNITE HERE Local 23 members are open to any Local 23 member working at a unit where there is an agreement with STEP. Most Local 23 units are in the STEP Fund but some are not. If you are not sure, please text us at 301-876-4419 and we can let you know.
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For information about our partner UNITE HERE Local 23, please see https://www.unitehere23.org/ https://www.facebook.com/UniteHereLocal23/