Culinary Apprenticeship Programme

Learn. practise. experience.

Ready to launch your career in the food industry? The Culinary Institute of Jamaica’s apprenticeship programmes give you real, hands-on training and a direct pathway into the workplace — no prior experience required, just a willingness to learn and work hard. Each programme combines online theory, face-to-face practical demonstrations, and six weeks of hands-on experience in a live kitchen or food service environment, ending with a certificate from the Culinary Institute of Jamaica.

Choose the pathway that best fits your career goals:

1. Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme

YOur first step into the professional kitchen

Learn the foundations every great chef starts with – knife skills, food safety, basic cooking methods, and kitchen organisation. This programme is ideal for anyone who dreams of working their way up the culinary ladder, from home cooks and culinary school hopefuls to career-changers ready to get their hands dirty in a real kitchen.

2. Short Order Cook Apprenticeship

fast, focused, and always in demand

Master the speed and precision needed to thrive in fast-paced kitchens — restaurants, diners, cafeterias, and canteens. You will build the multitasking skills, menu knowledge, and confidence under pressure that make short order cooks essential to any food service team.

3. Kitchen Steward Apprenticeship

THE backbone of every well-run kitchen

Every great kitchen depends on strong stewarding. This programme trains you in sanitation standards, equipment care, waste management, and kitchen support operations – skills that are in constant demand across hotels, restaurants, and institutional kitchens, and that open doors to further culinary advancement.

4. Restaurant Server Apprenticeship

THE FACE of great hospitality

Great food deserves great service. Learn table service standards, customer engagement, order accuracy, and the professionalism that keeps guests coming back. This programme is perfect for anyone who enjoys working with people and wants a fast track into the hospitality industry.

How the Programme Works

Each apprenticeship runs for two weeks of hybrid training – online theory classes paired with hands-on, face-to-face practical demonstration sessions held on Saturdays. On successful completion, apprentices advance to six weeks of on-the-job training in a live kitchen or food service environment, gaining the real-world experience employers look for. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from the Culinary Institute of Jamaica.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to formalise your kitchen experience, CIJ’s apprenticeship programmes give you the skills, the certificate and the real-world experience to build a lasting career in food service.

Cost

$15,000, payable upon acceptance to the programme.

Requirements for Registration

Applicants for our apprenticeship programmes must be 18 years or older and must be able to work 40 hours per week doe the six (6) weeks of work experience. Interested applicants should complete our online Apprenticeship Application Form and email the following documents to admin@cijchef.com:

Copy of photo ID
Copy of TRN
Proof of payment of registration fee of $2,500
Current resume
Two (2) recommendation letters from past/current school or employer, JP, Minster of Religion
Copy of valid food handler’s permit or proof of payment of permit fee, with scheduled test date.

Once the above documents have been received, our admin team will reach out to shortlisted applicants to schedule interviews.

Spaces are limited, so apply early to secure your spot in this dynamic programme