Hospitality Career Pathways
Building the Talent Pipeline for Oregon Hospitality
The Oregon Hospitality Foundation builds Oregon’s future hospitality workforce through programs like ProStart® and Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTMP), giving students hands-on experience, industry training, and nationally recognized certifications.
ProStart®
ProStart®, supported in Oregon by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, is a nationwide CTE program reaching over 7,700 Oregon high school students in 48 schools. Through an industry-based curriculum in culinary arts and restaurant management—combined with real-world experience—students build skills, develop leadership, and prepare for rewarding careers. Nationally, ProStart serves 165,000 students in 1,830 high schools across all 50 states with the support of industry partners and the NRAEF.
The Oregon ProStart® Championships, presented by OHF, is the program’s capstone event, showcasing the skills and talent of high school CTE students.
Support ProStart and Grow Oregon’s Hospitality Future
Your support makes these programs possible—and there are many ways to get involved. Whether through a donation to the Foundation (cash or in-kind) or by volunteering your time and expertise, you can help inspire and equip the next generation of hospitality professionals. Contact Courtney Smith, ProStart Manager, at 503-682-4422 to learn more.
Support ProStart and help inspire Oregon’s future hospitality leaders. Your donation strengthens a statewide network of students, educators, and chef mentors—while giving your business industry recognition, event visibility, and access to a motivated, well-trained workforce. Invest in the future of Oregon’s hospitality industry today.
Volunteer as a Judge or industry ambassador at the Oregon ProStart Championships and support the next generation of hospitality leaders. Join industry peers, chefs, and partners in judging high school teams as they showcase their skills in two distinct events: Culinary and Management competition.
Become a ProStart Mentor and help shape hospitality’s future. Guide and inspire students by connecting classroom learning to real-world careers—while building a skilled talent pipeline, gaining fresh perspectives, and identifying future employees. Join us in empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Other Programs Building Skills, Opening Doors
Oregon Hospitality & Tourism Career Pathways Credential is now offers high schoolers more pathways to earn stackable credentials, grow leadership skills, and launch hospitality careers.
Restaurant Ready, an NRAEF program, helps opportunity youth gain the core job and life skills needed to succeed in hospitality. Partnering with community-based organizations and state restaurant associations, it connects participants to employers and supports them in overcoming barriers to employment. The program strengthens the industry’s talent pipeline while opening doors to meaningful restaurant and lodging careers.
HOPES partners with the NRAEF’s Restaurant Ready framework to train justice-involved individuals (18+) in work-readiness and industry skills, then connects them with local restaurant and foodservice jobs. Employers benefit from motivated, pre-trained candidates and can further support their growth through credentials and apprenticeships.
Why ProStart Grads Should Be Your First Choice
Hiring a ProStart student means bringing on a passionate, career-driven employee who is already trained in essential culinary, management, and customer service skills—and prepared to make an immediate impact on your team. Read more on what you can expect from a ProStart grad.
"Every hiring manager should give preference to hiring ProStart students because these students bring a rare combination of foundational knowledge, hands-on experience, and enthusiasm for the industry."
- Ken Henson, Refettorio Consulting