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Transforming the Tourism Workforce
 
In 2008, STEC received support to implement the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project.  It is one of 41 across Canada being funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).  The project spans two years, from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2010.
 
The objective of the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project is to facilitate the adoption, testing, and sharing of promising tools and approaches to enrich the training and workplace skills development of tourism professionals. 
 
The project itself will provide over half a million dollars in funding for direct training costs in the tourism sector.  A conservative estimate of what the industry will provide to the project in paid training time for employees is an estimated one million dollars.
 
Since the outset of the project, STEC has sought participants from a broad geographic range and from a variety of operator type and size, spanning the five industries of tourism.  Upon completion of information sessions in each region, we are pleased to announce that recruitment targets have been exceeded.  The project provides opportunities for 29 operators, 86 tourism supervisors, and 231 frontline staff.
 
Opportunities for Employers
 
It is expected that by participating in the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project, tourism operators are on the path to developing a more competitive, productive, and highly skilled workforce.  This project will allow business owners not only to reinforce existing human resources practices, but also to obtain an Employer of Choice designation. 
 
Becoming an Employer of Choice is especially important in today’s economy and labour market as an increasing number of employers are feeling the effects of low unemployment rates, the pending retirement of baby boomers, productivity challenges, skills shortages, and recruitment and retention issues.
 
Employers of Choice are expected to gain a competitive edge through increased productivity, profitability, customer service, and employee job satisfaction.  Additionally, improved health and safety of staff and a reduction in absenteeism and turnover are anticipated benefits of the program.
 
Opportunities for Supervisors and Frontline Staff
 
Supervisors are key to the development of a professional tourism workforce.  Through the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project, supervisors will be provided with a workplace mentor/coach, training materials, and assessment tools to achieve emerit Professional Certification. 
 
They will develop communication, leadership, and human resource management skills, as well as workplace training skills by participating in the Workplace Trainer workshop.  Supervisors who know how to train effectively are better able to improve customer service, sales and productivity, and retention of employees.
 
Frontline staff are crucial to the delivery of memorable tourism experiences.  Through the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project, participating employees will be provided with individual training plans and workplace support for their skills development.  They will also obtain emerit Professional Certification in one of the 27 tourism occupations in which certification is available.  In addition, STEC will assist 75 frontline staff in achieving Journeyperson status in one of two tourism trades: Food and Beverage Person or Guest Services Representative.
 
We are thrilled that even before the halfway point of the project all participants are well-engaged in their individual skills development activities, with several having already completed at least one of the three required components of emerit Professional Certification (occupational knowledge exam, performance evaluation, and work experience).  
 
A Tourism Training Culture in Saskatchewan
 
As the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project progresses, STEC will continue to support participating operators as they implement training and certification programs at all levels.  It is anticipated that this project will create a model for a long-term tourism training culture in Saskatchewan.
 
Participating Tourism Businesses
 
There are 29 tourism businesses participating in the Transforming the Tourism Workforce pilot project, many of which are part of the food and beverage services industry, followed by accommodation, recreation and entertainment, travel services, and transportation.  Some businesses listed below may appear more than once.
 
Click on the links below to find out more about these businesses.  To read a summary of the interviews that have taken place, click here.
 
Food and Beverage Services
 
Accommodation
 
Recreation and Entertainment
 
Travel Services
 
Transportation
 
If you are interested in learning more about this project, please contact us.