Frequently Asked Questions
Tourism sector professionals are people who have recognized the value of lifelong learning and are motivated to pursue personal development. These individuals choose to challenge themselves to meet and/or exceed National Occupational Standards by pursuing Professional Certification. Many tourism professionals have achieved certification in two, three or more different occupations.
To date, approximately 4,800 Saskatchewanians are enrolled in emerit Professional Certification and over 1,600 are certified. In addition, nearly 70 individuals have achieved Journeyperson status as a Guest Services Representative or Food and Beverage Person, while many others have obtained a certificate, diploma and/or degree in a tourism-related profession from a post-secondary institution.
Professional development improves the skills and broadens the knowledge of tourism employees and employers. This leads to better service and a richer experience for guests, making our province more pleasant and attractive for residents and visitors. STEC is committed to working with Saskatchewan’s tourism sector to establish a training culture in our province.
Human Resource Development (HRD) assists employees improve their knowledge, skills, and organizational ability. The focus of HRD is to develop a superior workforce populated with individuals and organizations that achieve their occupational objectives and the highest level of service to customers.
HRD includes: employee training, career development, succession planning, performance management, employee identification, and organizational development. This may involve formal instruction in the classroom, college courses or planned organizational change. It may also involve informal coaching of employees by an individual in a senior position. Successful organizations invest in both formal and informal human resource development.
Why is there a shortage of workers in the tourism sector, while thousands of people in Saskatchewan are unable to find employment or are underemployed?
There are two reasons for a shortage of workers in the tourism sector:
- 1. Saskatchewan career seekers are uninformed about the wide variety of opportunities available in tourism.
- 2. Saskatchewan career-seekers are misinformed or have a preconceived poor image about the tourism sector. Many believe employment is seasonal at best and/or that jobs in the tourism sector are temporary place holders until something better comes along.
To read about myths and facts in the tourism sector, click here.
In order to keep the tourism sector strong and growing, human resource development issues must be addressed. The mandate of STEC is to support a professional tourism workforce by developing, promoting, coordinating, and evaluating industry-managed standards, certification, career awareness, and training.
Click here to read more about our mandate.
Click here to contact STEC.
Click here to contact Tourism Saskatchewan.
