Local 26 Incumbent Worker Program

UNITE HERE Local 26 represents workers in the hospitality industries of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. BEST is the education provider for Local 26 members with education benefits.

Local 26 Classes

Please click an option below to learn more about our Local 26 classes.

Certified Guest Service Professional Certified Guest Service Professional

In this class you will:

  • Become a Certified Guest Services Professional through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute
  • Learn the Guest Service Gold®: Golden Opportunities
  • Enhance your guest service skills, build strong guest relationships, and advance your goals towards careers in guest-facing roles.
  • Practice how to deliver Above and Beyond guest service, and much more!

Next class begins January 12, 2026.

The training meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for 8 weeks.

Location: In-person at our BEST Seaport Training Center

450 Summer Street

Boston, MA | 02210

Within the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education training and benefits.

To register, you must attend an in-person information session and pass an English skills assessment. Please email education@BESThtc.org OR call (617) 542-1177 and leave a message: “My name is XX. I am interested in the XX class. My phone number is XX.” We will give you a call back for more information session details.
English Classes English Classes

English for Hospitality classes are offered online, hybrid, and in-person at our Boston and Seaport Training Centers. We offer day and evening classes to accommodate different work schedules. We offer beginner to advanced levels.

In this class you will learn to:

  • Communicate with guests, supervisors, and co-workers using proper customer service language
  • Be familiar with career ladders within the industry
  • Use technology to enhance their learning
  • Be able to articulate goals, both personal and professional
  • Demonstrate confidence and leadership through out-of-class projects, oral presentations, and field trips

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education training and benefits.

*OPEN ENROLLMENT*

DAY ENGLISH CLASS SCHEDULE

  • Intermediate English (Boston): Thursday, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

EVENING ENGLISH CLASS SCHEDULE

  • English for Professional Guest Services (Boston): class meets every Monday and Wednesday, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

    • English for Professional Guest Services Option 1 (Boston): class runs from 9/8/2025 to 10/8/2025
    • English for Professional Guest Services Option 2 (Boston): class runs from 10/27/2025 to 12/03/2025

  • Advanced English (Online): Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
Conversational Spanish for Hotel Professionals Conversational Spanish for Hotel Professionals

In this four week series we will cover:

  • Week One: Welcoming Guests & Helping with Simple Questions
  • Week Two: Taking Food & Drink Orders the Friendly, Professional Way
  • Week Three: Handling Guest Problems with Kindness & Care
  • Week Four: Working Respectfully with Spanish-Speaking Teammates

Next class begins July 29, 2025.

Classes meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Location: BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.

U.S. Citizenship Preparation U.S. Citizenship Preparation

U.S. Citizenship Preparation classes are offered in-person and online. Students must attend an in-person orientation at our Boston Training Center.

In this class you will:

  • Learn U.S. History and Civics lessons
  • Understand the N-400 application
  • Prepare for the interview with a USCIS official
  • Receive referral to support services if needed
  • Receive follow up sessions and tutorials if needed

*OPEN ENROLLMENT*

Class meets on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM via Zoom and in person.

Location: In-person at our BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education training and benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org OR Call (617) 542-1177.
Computer Skills Class Computer Skills Class

Build your confidence with technology and prepare for job readiness! In this class you will learn how to:

  • Use email professionally
  • Navigate the internet and search safely
  • Work with Google Apps (Docs, Calendar, Drive, etc.)
  • Access and use job application portals
  • Practice and improve your keyboarding skills

And more!

Tech Skills for the Workplace Option 1

  • Classes run from 9/08/2025 to 10/15/2025 every Monday and Wednesday from 11 AM to 1 PM

Tech Skills for the Workplace Option 2

  • Classes run from 10/27/2025 to 12/10/2025 every Monday and Wednesday from 11 AM to 1 PM

Tech Skills for Job Readiness Option 1

  • Classes run from 9/10/2025 to 10/15/2025 every Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM

Tech Skills for Job Readiness Option 2

  • Classes run from 10/27/2025 to 12/8/2025 every Monday from 5 PM to 7 PM

Location: In-person at our BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
Career Readiness Training Career Readiness Training

In this class you will learn:

  • How to create/update your resume How to search for jobs and complete online job applications
  • How to answer frequently asked interview questions
  • How to communicate professionally via email
  • And more!

Next class will run from 10/22/2025 to 11/19/2025. Classes will meet every Wednesday from 5 PM to 7PM in person.

Location: In-person at our BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
Certification Classes Certification Classes

We offer the following industry-recognized certification courses:

  • ServSafe® Professional Food Handler
  • ServSafe® Food Manager - First-timer ServSafe® Food Manager students must attend both sessions. Recertification exam students need to attend only the second session.
  • TiPS®
  • MA Food Allergens

Upcoming Classes:

  • ServSafe® Professional Food Handler: Monday, October 6, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM OR Monday, December 1, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM at BEST Seaport Training Center
  • ServSafe® Food Manager: Monday, November 3 AND November 10, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM at BEST Seaport Training Center
  • TiPS®: Friday, October 24, 2025, 10 AM to 3 PM OR December 19, 2025, 10 AM to 3 PM at BEST Seaport Training Center
  • MA Food Allergens: Friday, October 17, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM OR December 5, 2025, 10 AM to 2 PM at BEST Boston Training Center

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education training and benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org OR Call (617) 542-1177. Registration is required and classes may be cancelled if there are not enough students.

Employers: To schedule training for non-Local 26 members, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177. Our rates can be found on our Fee for Service page.
First Aid/CPR/AED First Aid/CPR/AED

In this class, you will learn how to:

  • Recognize emergencies: How to identify signs of cardiac arrest, choking, and other emergencies
  • Perform CPR: How to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths
  • Use an AED: How to use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
  • Give First aid: How to treat burns, cuts, scrapes, and other injuries

Upcoming Classes:

  • Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5 PM to 8 PM
  • December 17, 2025, 5 PM to 8 PM

Location: In-person at our BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
Understanding & Accessing Your Local 26 Benefits Understanding & Accessing Your Local 26 Benefits

Discover how to access health, dental, vision, legal, education, housing and MORE online! Don’t miss our new class - your benefits, your way!

Class begins on January 28, 2026 and meets on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 1 PM

  • Week One: Local 26 Benefits Overview
  • Week Two: UNITE HERE Health Portal
  • Week Three: Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan Website
  • Week Four: Delta Dental and Davis Vision
  • Week Five: Housing Assistance Plan, Education Plan, and Legal Plan

Location: BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
Understanding and Planning for Retirement Understanding and Planning for Retirement

Learn how to Access Retirement Resources, Understand & Utilize Your Local 26 VDB Pension and UNITE HERE Local 26 401K plans!

Class begins on October 22, 2025 and meets on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 1 PM

  • Week One: Local 26 Retirement Benefits Overview
  • Week Two: Local 26 VDB Pension Plan
  • Week Three: UNITE HERE Local 26 401K Plan
  • Week Four: Guest Speaker from the GBHE Trust Fund Office
  • Week Five: SSA, Medicare, and a Guest Speaker from SHINE

Location: BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlington on the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.
On-Call Banquet Server Training On-Call Banquet Server Training

In this class you will:

  • Get certified in TiPS, Allergens, and CPR/First Aid/AED.
  • Learn about banquet setup, ergonomics, wine basics, etc.
  • Practice table setting, tray carrying, and much more!
  • Get resume and interview preparation help.

Upcoming Classes Begin:

  • September 16, 2025
  • January 20, 2026

Class is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for 10 weeks.

To apply you must attend ONE Info Session. Upcoming Information Sessions will be held:

  • Tuesday, 8/26/2025 at 12 PM and 5PM
  • Thursday 8/28/2025 at 12 PM and 5 PM
  • Tuesday, 9/2/2025 at 12 PM and 5 PM
  • Thursday 9/4/2025 at 12 PM and 5 PM

Location: BEST Boston Training Center

52 Church Street

Boston, MA | 02116

Near T Station: Arlingtonon the Green Line and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education training and benefits.

To register, you must attend an in-person information session and pass an English skills assessment. Please email education@BESThtc.org OR call (617) 542-1177 and leave a message: “My name is XX. I am interested in the XX class. My phone number is XX.” We will give you a call back for more information session details.
College Math Prep College Math Prep

Work one-on-one with a tutor to master College Mathematics. Topics may include:

  • Pre-algebra
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Calculus

Please call for details: (617) 542-1177.

To be eligible for this class, you must be over 18 and receiving Local 26 education benefits. To register, please email education@BESThtc.org or call (617) 542-1177.

Online Resources

A series of English, U.S. Citizenship preparation, computer, and job readiness learning resources for teacher, tutor, and student use.

Online Resources