Rasmussen University Announces New Corporate Alliance with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Central Florida Chapter

This corporate alliance provides career and educational opportunities to hospitality workers and employers struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In cities like Orlando, one of the largest tourism cities in the world, the hospitality industry is critical to fueling the state’s economy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are 3.5 million fewer jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry nationwide than there were a year ago—pre-pandemic. While some employees have been able to return to work as restaurants and theme parks in Central Florida began opening back up, many hospitality workers are struggling to find work as the conference scene and business travel remain at a standstill.

“For many in Central Florida, restaurant and hospitality work offers first-job, entry-level employment, but for others, it’s a lifelong career path. Right now, COVID-19 has many experiencing job loss or financial impacts and possibly struggling to figure out what to do next,” said Keri Burns, FRLA Central Florida Chapter regional director. “As a result, some may be preparing for a new career or looking to broaden their skills to advance in their field when they return to work. Our alliance with Rasmussen University will allow individuals to invest in their futures, gain confidence and feel accomplished as they take their next step doing what they love.”

FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association with 10,000 members across the state. Central Florida FRLA’s more than 1,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry, which represents 1.5 million employees.

“Through this new corporate alliance, we’re thrilled to be able to offer FRLA Central Florida members education benefits, including tuition savings, to make furthering their education and advancing their skills that much easier,” said Jennifer Moorhead, department dean of the School of Business and General Education at Rasmussen University. “This is their chance to advance their credentials with a university known for its innovative, career-focused and student-centered programs. Together with FRLA Central Florida, Rasmussen University can help members reach their goals and advance in their career as well as support employers in retaining high-value talent.”

Rasmussen University offers certificates and diplomas up to graduate degrees in seven areas of study. Its School of Business offers an array of online business programs, such as business management, marketing and finance, which focus on building a strong business foundation while helping students acquire the relevant program skills as well as transferrable skills, or soft skills, employers demand.

Rasmussen University is also a national leader in competency-based education (CBE). The University’s CBE programs, credit for prior learning and self-directed assessments empower students to work at a flexible place, giving them credit for what they know and help shorten the timeline to graduation.

For more information about what benefits the corporate alliance includes, please visit Rasmussen.edu/FRLA.

For more information about the FRLA Central Florida Chapter, please visit https://frla.org/chapters/central/.