Kendall College is pleased to announce a new benefit for Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) members statewide that provides reduced tuition rates for their employees and families to support their pursuit or completion of a degree in several disciplines.
As part of the partnership with the IRA formed on the cusp of the Chicago-based nonprofit’s centennial, Kendall College will extend a 20 percent tuition reduction on degree programs in business, culinary arts, and hospitality.
“Offering Illinois Restaurant Association members’ employees the means to achieve or continue college education is an investment in the most important asset of our state’s vibrant foodservice industry,” says Kendall College president Emily Knight. “Kendall is proud to play this important role in ensuring the future health and success of restaurants and many other businesses throughout Illinois by helping our state’s citizens acquire and thrive in hospitality-sector careers.”
Kendall College was selected by the IRA as an official partner for this member benefit for the quality of its education, ranked as the best in Illinois for preparing students for careers in hospitality management and culinary arts as substantiated by a recent study; a hybrid education-delivery format for Kendall’s business and hospitality programs that effectively combines classroom and online instruction; four start times per year, which awards greater lifestyle accommodation and convenience to students; and an experiential approach to learning and support services, including dedicated enrollment advisors, financial-aid consultants, and admissions representatives.
“The Illinois Restaurant Association has worked since 1914 to provide restaurant operators and suppliers with valuable business services, networking opportunities, cost-saving programs, and vital advocacy,” says IRA president Sam Toia. “Working with Kendall College in a way that makes quality education in hospitality management, culinary arts, and business more accessible and affordable is yet the latest example of the IRA’s commitment to its members’ ongoing success.”
The foodservice industry in Illinois is the largest private-sector employer in the state. Foodservice operations employed more than 516,000 people in 2012 and realized $20.9 billion in sales.
The IRA projects a 3.7 percent increase in offered jobs (517,900) and sales ($21.7 billion) in 2013.
Kendall College will also offer IRA members’ employees and their families a 15 percent tuition reduction on pursuing bachelor’s degree programs in early childhood education.
