To help promote racial equity and overcome underrepresentation in its local travel and tourism industry, Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission are partnering with Tourism Diversity Matters, a tourism and events industry resource for diversity expertise, to launch the Diversity Apprenticeship Program (DAP).

Designed to help close the significant racial equity gap in the Central Ohio hospitality community, the new apprenticeship program will provide hands-on experience and job opportunities to local students, recent graduates and professionals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) and have a passion for tourism. 

In 2020, nearly 28% of Columbus hospitality employees identified as Black, Asian American, or Hispanic, while 73% identified as white, according to a study by Tourism Economics.

According to Experience Columbus officials, the DAP’s formation comes in response to the stark changes in the industry and society over the past year or more and speaks to the city’s aggressiveness in this area.

“Our community partners are as passionate about this initiative as we are, and as a result, we will be providing the most robust diversity apprenticeship program in the country, with the most apprenticeship opportunities and highest number of industry partners,” explained Shannon Jones, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Experience Columbus. 

She added, “We look forward to providing incredible career opportunities to individuals from communities that have historically been underrepresented in the travel and tourism industry because we know we’re better when everyone has a seat at the table.”

Structured to position BIPOC apprentices for long-term professional success in travel industry leadership roles, the six-month, paid apprenticeship program will select six apprentices for the inaugural class of the Columbus Diversity Apprenticeship Program. The apprentices will be assigned at least one host organization and will work across its multiple cross-functional departments, such as marketing, administration, guest services, sales, finance and event planning, for 600 hours during the six-month cycle. 

Within the DAP, six different program tracks will be offered to help customize each apprentice’s experience to their interests and talents. The apprentices will receive an opportunity to choose a tourism, hospitality, events, venue or sports career path that aligns with their professional career goals. Some tracks include time at multiple organizations while the others are with one organization for the full six months. 

The DAP’s 12 host organizations include:

• Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Columbus Regional Airport Authority
• Concord Hospitality Enterprises
• Experience Columbus
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Greater Columbus Convention Center
• Greater Columbus Sports Commission
• Hilton Columbus–Downtown
• Hyatt Regency
• Jordan Hospitality Group

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be offered a full-time, manager-level position.

Applications for the inaugural DAP are now open and will close on Aug. 31. To qualify, applicants must be 18 years of age, have a high-school diploma or GED, submit a background check and self-identify as BIPOC. 

Interviews will be held with advancing candidates after the application window closes. Apprenticeships will be awarded by the beginning of September, and the first apprenticeship class will start mid-Sept. and will work through March 2022. Moving forward, the DAP will be held biannually, with the second cycle beginning in April 2022.

“While tourism across the country is still in recovery mode, it is important to us that the travel industry recovers with equity,” said Brian Ross, president and CEO of Experience Columbus. “This is a priority throughout Columbus, which is felt from the enthusiastic participation from so many diverse partners, as well as the more than $750,000 in funding support from the city, county and Columbus Foundation for this initiative.”

To learn more about the Diversity Apprenticeship Program and apply, go here.

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