Hospitality isn’t a traditional focus of workforce programs, yet it’s a critical sector in Santa Clara County—home to more than 7,700 hospitality workers, many earning below a living wage in a region with one of the highest costs of living in the country. For workers with limited English proficiency, the barriers are even greater, often limiting access to higher-paying roles or advancement. To address this gap, we partnered with Foothill College and TETRA Hotel in Sunnyvale, CA to pilot a new approach to English Language Learner (ELL) training tailored for the hospitality industry.

Foothill College, a top-tier community college, teamed up with us to design and deliver ELL instruction specifically for frontline roles in Housekeeping and Food Service. We also sought an employer willing to invest in its people. TETRA Hotel stepped up, committing to onsite, integrated classes for their staff. The goal: improve English proficiency, expand digital literacy, and open internal pathways for career advancement.

Launched in December 2024, the program started strong, but by March, attendance had dropped to 25%. The culprit? Long hours, second jobs, and family responsibilities made after-hours classes unrealistic for many workers. So we pivoted. The Launch Lab piloted a subsidized employment model in which employees remained “on the clock” during class, and we reimbursed TETRA for 50% of the associated labor costs. For just $2,500, attendance surged with 87% of the enrolled employees showing up and completing the program.

The program wrapped in August 2025, but its impact continues. We’re tracking outcomes and exploring opportunities to scale this model across industries. This is what it looks like when the Launch Lab tests, learns, and adapts—building bold, worker-centered solutions that truly work.