Hospitality Professional Program to Support Okanagan Tourism Businesses through Additional Skilled Workers
One message we have frequently heard through the Tourism Resiliency Program is the desperate need for more skilled workers to assist the tourism industry on its road to recovery. While it will take a variety of initiatives to fully address this challenge, we are very pleased that the Province of British Columbia has announced just over $600,000 in funding for a new Hospitality Professional Program through Okanagan College.
The Tourism Resiliency Program (TRP) has now been in place for almost five months. Started as an initiative to assist stakeholders to navigate funding during the early days of the pandemic and to ensure their concerns were elevated to the government, the TRP has continued to grow and develop in scope. Today, over 780 stakeholders are engaged with TOTA’s TRP and our team continues to look for new ways to address the issues you are raising, and to source unique and innovative solutions where possible.
One message we have frequently heard is the desperate need for more skilled workers to assist the tourism industry on its road to recovery. While it will take a variety of initiatives to fully address this challenge, we are very pleased that the Province of British Columbia has announced just over $600,000 in funding for a new Hospitality Professional Program.
Based on identified needs within the hospitality sector, participants will be prepared for a variety of positions, including supervisory roles as well as training in computer software, marketing and sales, soft skills, industry certifications, HR/Management, project management, and accounting. The program includes 16 weeks of online training offered to eligible candidates through Okanagan College, further supported by 10 weeks of work experience with all costs covered.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector to temporarily or permanently lay off employees, greatly impacting both the business and individuals. This program serves as an important opportunity in the rebuilding process and is another step in developing more resilience within the industry. We are proud to promote this valuable resource through our regional Tourism Resiliency Program.
For more information on participating in the program, please contact your local WorkBC Centre.
Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO