After the completion of the required On-the-Job training hours (approx. 4-6 months full-time), employers will be reimbursed up to $10,000 for their apprentice’s wages. The exact reimbursement amount and required training hours are decided in your interview process.
Apprentices work full-time (30+ hours/week) for 8–12 months, depending on prior experience.
Typically 8–12 months. After completion, you may continue working together if both parties choose.
You pay your standard hourly wage, in compliance with legal requirements. Apprentices must be hired as W2 employees.
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, in partnership with Food He.ro, provides up to $10,000 in wage reimbursement through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).
After hiring your apprentice, you’ll meet with the CCWP to set up your contract and reimbursement schedule based on training hours.
Yes, food truck employers pay apprentices for the duration of the 8-12 month program. The employer is required to provide copies of pay stubs to verify that the apprentice was paid as a full-time employee for the duration of the OJT contract. Reimbursement is typically issued 6–8 weeks after documentation is submitted.
Employers should have the funds to cover full-time wages upfront, as reimbursement is a post-payment benefit, not direct payroll funding.
Not quite. All food truck operators are interviewed by the Food He.ro team to ensure a strong fit.
You may be a good fit if you:
All apprentices are available full-time. Food He.ro will match you with candidates who fit your schedule and location needs.
Yes, Food Hero will be by your side to assit with any issues.
Situations are reviewed case-by-case. If the role ends early due to unforeseen circumstances, employers may still be reimbursed for eligible hours worked (per contract).
The program is designed for long-term employment, and employers are expected to provide genuine training throughout the apprenticeship.
Food He.ro provides pre-screened, job-ready candidates who have completed basic culinary training. You will interview and select your apprentice.
The goal is to prepare apprentices to run a food truck and lead a team.
Apprentices should be trained across all areas of food truck operations, including:
Spring 2026 on a rolling basis
Approximately 8-12 months to complete the apprenticeship hour requirements. The exact required hours are based on the apprentice's past experience.
Culinary Education: No payment, free education
Food Truck Training: Based on the food truck employer's salary (industry standards are anywhere from $17-$21 an hour) and you will be W2.
This program requires full-time work with your food truck employer.
Culinary Education: Averages out to about 17 hours a month, self-led, with opportunities to test out of modules to gain completed hours quicker.
Food Truck Training: Hours differ based on the apprentice's past experience, but all apprentices will be working on the food truck at a minimum of 30 hours a week.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis, you will be able to reduce your required apprenticeship hours based on industry experience, culinary school, or other applicable experiences. This will be discussed in your interview.
It may be possible to work part-time outside of your apprenticeship if your time on the truck (priority commitment) allows it. While full-time on the food truck, your outside work hours can also possibly qualify towards your apprenticeship hour requirements.
If both you and your food truck supervisor want you to continue your employment after the certification, this will be up to the two of you, and is not a requirement of the program.
Yes, if you are not meeting the work expectations of your supervisor, they are within their right to fire you like any other job.
Nothing! The Culinary Training portion of the program is free, and once the Food Truck Training portion of the program begins, you will be paid anywhere from about $17-$21 an hour.
No, but we will take you location and availability into consideration. All food trucks will be legitimate and well-run businesses that pass Food Hero’s screening.
We will do our best to pair apprentices with food truck employers that have similar base locations, to ease their commute.
We will conduct site visits and regular check-ins to support both the apprentices and employers.