News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Employer Toolkit: Attract and Integrate Internationally Trained Employees in South Okanagan Similkameen
Skilled immigrants can help businesses access new customers and international markets, enrich organizational culture, and spark innovation.
South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) created an Employer Toolkit to help employers Attract and Integrate Internationally Trained Employees in South Okanagan-Similkameen. The toolkit contains resources to help with navigating the complex system of accessing various streams of immigrants, attracting immigrants to your workplace, and helping them and your business succeed together by creating welcoming environments.
Skilled immigrants can help businesses access new customers and international markets, enrich organizational culture, and spark innovation.
South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) created an Employer Toolkit to help employers Attract and Integrate Internationally Trained Employees in South Okanagan-Similkameen. The toolkit contains resources to help with navigating the complex system of accessing various streams of immigrants, attracting immigrants to your workplace, and helping them and your business succeed together by creating welcoming environments.
Jobs for Ukraine: Connect with Ukrainian Refugees Seeking Employment
Ukrainians are coming to Canada to escape the crisis in their country. When they arrive, many will look for a job. The Government of Canada has created a dedicated job bank to help connect Ukrainian refugees with employment opportunities. Accommodators looking to fill job vacancies can create a profile and post available employment opportunities.
Ukrainians are coming to Canada to escape the crisis in their country. When they arrive, many will look for a job. The Government of Canada has created a dedicated job bank to help connect Ukrainian refugees with employment opportunities. Accommodators looking to fill job vacancies can create a profile and post available employment opportunities.
Propel Student Work Placement Program with Wage Subsidy | Apply Now for Summer 2022.
Propel is a federally funded Student Work Placement Program offering paid work-integrated learning opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. Propel offers employers a wage subsidy of up to 75% of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500.
Facilitated by Tourism HR Canada, Propel, a Student Work Placement Program, has been extended for an additional two years, thanks to generous funding from the Government of Canada.
The program is actively accepting applications for the upcoming summer semester.
Propel provides a direct link to early talent looking for hands-on experience and the opportunity to explore career pathways in the sector. Engaging these students will play an essential role in the immediate recovery of the visitor economy and ensure the ongoing growth of a skilled workforce.
Wage subsidies are available as follows:
Up to 50% of wages or up to $5,000 to provide students with meaningful WIL opportunities.
Up to 70% of wages or up to $7,000 to provide students with meaningful WIL opportunities for the following under-represented students: women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and newcomers; as well as first-year students.
Post-Pandemic HR Guide for Employers - Tourism HR Canada
Tourism HR Canada has put together a helpful guide to help attract and retain tourism and hospitality workers, called Now Hiring, which covers a range of essential HR practices, tips to implement, and practical checklists and forms to help tackle key issues.
Tourism HR Canada has put together a helpful guide to help attract and retain tourism and hospitality workers, called Now Hiring, which covers a range of essential HR practices, tips to implement, and practical checklists and forms to help tackle key issues.
Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for International Student Hires
ACE-WIL has put together a fantastic toolkit for employers and hiring managers looking to incorporate diversity and inclusion into their workplace. The Six Tools for Diversity in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) supports employers in attracting, hiring, and onboarding Students from International Pathways (SFIP).
The online toolkit brings together resources about current practices, the value that diversity brings to the workplace supports for onboarding and hiring, and techniques on coaching students on Canadian workplace norms.
ACE-WIL has put together a fantastic toolkit for employers and hiring managers looking to incorporate diversity and inclusion into their workplace. The Six Tools for Diversity in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) supports employers in attracting, hiring, and onboarding Students from International Pathways (SFIP).
The online toolkit brings together resources about current practices, the value that diversity brings to the workplace supports for onboarding and hiring, and techniques on coaching students on Canadian workplace norms.
Get Youth Working Program | Funding Available for Re-Hiring and Preventing Layoffs
The Get Youth Working Program offers eligible employers in B.C. a negotiated Wage Subsidy as an incentive to hire eligible youth age 17 to 29. The business must employ youth for a minimum of 3 months with preference given to long-term positions over 6 months
At any time during the recruiting process (before signing an agreement), businesses can complete and submit a 5-minute online application. If program criteria is met, an agreement can be signed, and payment disbursed at the end of the work experience period.
There's also a free job board. To post a job, complete an application to gain access and post your position.
The Get Youth Working Program offers eligible employers in B.C. a negotiated Wage Subsidy as an incentive to hire eligible youth age 17 to 29. The business must employ youth for a minimum of 3 months with preference given to long-term positions over 6 months
At any time during the recruiting process (before signing an agreement), businesses can complete and submit a 5-minute online application. If program criteria is met, an agreement can be signed, and payment disbursed at the end of the work experience period.
There's also a free job board. To post a job, complete an application to gain access and post your position.
Resources for Job Seekers, Workers, and Businesses from Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery
As tourism and hospitality businesses kick start their operations, retaining skilled employees and attracting new workers will be critical to their success. The Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery project is developing tools and resources to help operators respond to this enormous challenge.
Tools include:
Free self-guided training guides for employees
Labour force survey results
Resource listings for individuals and businesses
As tourism and hospitality businesses kick start their operations, retaining skilled employees and attracting new workers will be critical to their success. The Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery project is developing tools and resources to help operators respond to this enormous challenge.
Tools include:
Free self-guided training guides for employees
Labour force survey results
Resource listings for individuals and businesses
Cap U Program Available to Assist in Creating Recruitment Strategy
In this difficult labour shortage, Capilano University School of Tourism Students are available to help develop business recruitment strategies. The Human Resources class will be working with tourism businesses to create a comprehensive recruitment strategy throughout the month of February.
After an initial consultation with the manager, students will analyze your needs and assess opportunities to help you attract a larger pool of candidates. In their report, students will design recruitment policies, audit current practices, and create recommendations on employer branding.
They will recommend recruitment sources and present a digital strategy, helping you take a broader talent management approach. They will present their findings to your team via zoom and prepare a comprehensive report. The time commitment for employers is 1-2 hours of virtual meetings. There is no cost to participate.
Email Joanna Jagger at joannajagger@capilanou.ca for more information.
In this difficult labour shortage, Capilano University School of Tourism Students are available to help develop business recruitment strategies. The Human Resources class will be working with tourism businesses to create a comprehensive recruitment strategy throughout the month of February.
After an initial consultation with the manager, students will analyze your needs and assess opportunities to help you attract a larger pool of candidates. In their report, students will design recruitment policies, audit current practices, and create recommendations on employer branding.
They will recommend recruitment sources and present a digital strategy, helping you take a broader talent management approach. They will present their findings to your team via zoom and prepare a comprehensive report. The time commitment for employers is 1-2 hours of virtual meetings. There is no cost to participate.
Email Joanna Jagger at joannajagger@capilanou.ca for more information.
Apply for Student Interns through Various Programs
BCIT's 2022 Tourism Management Internship Program students will be looking for Internship opportunities in late March 2022. Submit your Internship Application request form by January 10, 2022. The internship runs for 8 weeks from March 28, 2022, to May 20, 2022. Students can work evenings, weekends, and any day of the week except Mondays, as they must be at school on this day. Any questions, contact David Tikkanen, Program Head, Tourism Management, David_Tikkanen@bcit.ca
Over 100 Capilano University (CapU) Tourism Management students will be looking for work placements from May – September 2022. Many of the students can move into full-time positions at the end of their summer placement as they will graduate. The Cap U Work Integrated Learning team for the School of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will be conducting an online Information Lunch and Learn session on January 18, 2022, 12:30 – 1 pm. For additional information, contact tourism@capilanou.ca.
Immigration Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) has been providing various support services for immigrants and refugees to help them get settled, find careers, and learn all they need to know about starting their new lives in Canada. Through dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, ISSofBC provides settlement, education, and employment services to over 20,000 clients every year. There are approximately 20+ graduating students who recently completed the Global Tourism Diploma Program looking for full and/or part-time employment in Tourism & Hospitality. Some are available to start working immediately. Contact Shelina Spilchen, Case Manager – Skills Training for Tourism, for more information: shelina.spilchen@issbc.org
Originally published by go2HR
BCIT's 2022 Tourism Management Internship Program students will be looking for Internship opportunities in late March 2022. Submit your Internship Application request form by January 10, 2022. The internship runs for 8 weeks from March 28, 2022, to May 20, 2022. Students can work evenings, weekends, and any day of the week except Mondays, as they must be at school on this day. Any questions, contact David Tikkanen, Program Head, Tourism Management, David_Tikkanen@bcit.ca
Over 100 Capilano University (CapU) Tourism Management students will be looking for work placements from May – September 2022. Many of the students can move into full-time positions at the end of their summer placement as they will graduate. The Cap U Work Integrated Learning team for the School of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will be conducting an online Information Lunch and Learn session on January 18, 2022, 12:30 – 1 pm. For additional information, contact tourism@capilanou.ca.
Immigration Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) has been providing various support services for immigrants and refugees to help them get settled, find careers, and learn all they need to know about starting their new lives in Canada. Through dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, ISSofBC provides settlement, education, and employment services to over 20,000 clients every year. There are approximately 20+ graduating students who recently completed the Global Tourism Diploma Program looking for full and/or part-time employment in Tourism & Hospitality. Some are available to start working immediately. Contact Shelina Spilchen, Case Manager – Skills Training for Tourism, for more information: shelina.spilchen@issbc.org
Extended WorkShare Program
The government has extended the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. The Work-Sharing program can help employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the employer’s control. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.
The government has extended the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. The Work-Sharing program can help employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the employer’s control. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.
The Program allows employers to retain qualified and experienced workers, and avoid recruiting and training new employees. It also allows employees to keep their jobs, and maintain their work skills.
Work-Sharing temporary special measures to support employers and workers affected by COVID-19
Effective March 15, 2020 and extended to September 24, 2022, and not limited to one specific sector or industry, the Government of Canada is introducing temporary special measures:
extension of the maximum possible duration of an agreement from 38 weeks to 76 weeks
mandatory cooling off period has been waived for employers who have already used the Work-Sharing program so that eligible employers may immediately enter into a new agreement
reduce the previous requirements for a Recovery Plan to a single line of text in the application form
reduce the requirement and expand eligibility to employers affected by accepting business who have been in business for only 1 year rather than 2, and eliminate the burden of having to provide sales/production figures at the same time, and
expand eligibility for staff who are essential to recovery, Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and non-for-profit organization employers