CleanBC Communities Fund Intake 3 Now Open | Apply by May 25, 2022

The CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) intake 3 is now accepting applications to fund projects that support the management of renewable energy, access to clean energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings, and generation of clean energy. The fund invests in public infrastructure owned by local governments, Indigenous communities, not-for-profits and projects in partnership with for-profit entities.

Learn More & Apply →

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Integrating People with Disabilities into the Workplace

There are several B.C. employment agencies that help to successfully match tourism employers with non-traditional labour pools, including people with disabilities.

Once the recruitment process is done, how can employers look beyond obligatory compliance to accommodate people with disabilities so they can do their jobs as effectively as possible?

Learn more in go2HR’s guide to Integrating People with Disabilities into the Workplace →

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Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Collaborates with Green Wine Future 2022

Miami, Florida, USA - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), to show its commitment to protecting the environment and sustainability, has joined with Green Wine Future (GWF) as one of its corporate sponsors and strategic partners. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering May 23-26, 2022.

“Because Green Wine Future is an international summit which will be broadcast around the globe and from eight different time zones, we will be able to show the entire planet, why and how the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada became the first destination in the Americas to successfully achieve the Biosphere Certified designation distinction from the Responsible Tourism Institute,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO for TOTA.

As part of TOTA’s participation in the conference, TOTA is supported by several provincial and regional funding partners: Destination British Columbia, Wine Growers British Columbia, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia; and host wineries who will showcase the Thompson Okanagan wine region: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, and Monte Creek Winery.

To address critical topics of sustainability, wine, and matters related to the climate crisis and the environment, Chrand Events has created Green Wine Future as the culmination of its Climate Change & Wine and Wine Future conferences. The conference will be broadcast in four languages simultaneously (English, Spanish, French, Italian) from 8 different parts of the planet in their respective time zones: USA, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 2006, Chrand Events pioneered the world’s first international conference on Climate Change and Wine, and the first event examining the impacts of the climate crisis upon any one industry. Since that edition in Spain, Chrand Events has organized numerous other international conferences in Hong Kong, Portugal, and other parts of the world featuring the most influential names of the wine industry and such visionary global leaders as US President Barack Obama, Nobel Laureate Al Gore, and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan amongst many others.

“Green Wine Future will share with wine professionals innumerable, valuable aspects of how their peers are addressing sustainability issues in creating solutions to problems in the vineyard, winery, supply, and sales streams,” said David Furer, host and co-organizer of this unique international event. 

In response to current world conditions, the premiere edition of Green Wine Future will offer a totally new way to attend a conference and for speakers to present their information: a hands-on and practical approach through video footage, and documentaries. Live broadcast from vineyards, footage from innovative solutions to the climate crisis, interactive documentaries specially recorded for the event are just a few highlights of GWF.

This virtual technology will allow wineries and wine companies to be present at the GWF Virtual Expo, showcasing their wines, products, and services. The innovative technology will also allow delegates, speakers, and exhibitors to network virtually for a period of 2 weeks prior to the conference.

GWF also announces the addition of “Wine for the Planet” (W4P) docuseries which will showcase the wine industry’s work in protecting areas of the Earth most sensitive to the climate crisis, including:

1. Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic;

2. Coral reefs in different parts of our planet;

3. The Amazon and other rainforests;

4. Regions already suffering from water shortages and floods;

5. Areas implementing sustainable initiatives, such as the Thompson Okanagan region in British Columbia, Canada.

Recorded and presented by GWF and W4P founder Pancho Campo and his team from the above listed regions, W4P will stream free globally during regular breaks of GWF. Documentaries will be available through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, where the team will highlight wine tastings in Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Great Coral Reef. 

As part of these documentaries, Pancho will travel to the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia at the beginning of April to record a documentary that will showcase the region’s wine industry, sustainable tourism commitments, and environmentally friendly strategies and initiatives that are being undertaken as part of the provincial focus to address the global climate crisis.

The event has obtained the support of many key wine organizations and allies including the International Institute of Vine and Wine, Wine Institute of California, Napa Valley Vintners, Interprofesional del Vino de España, Barossa Australia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Portugal, and the Porto Protocol.

Registrations and all information regarding GWF’s speakers and program, as well as the program for W4P, are available at GreenWineFuture.com.

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About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, & Sport. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.

For more information, visit TOTABC.org.

About Chrand Events

Chrand Events, founder of Green Wine Future, is an agency founded by former tennis professional and Olympic captain Pancho Campo. Chrand has organized world-class events for over 30 years in more than 20 countries. Chrand has managed and produced concerts, sporting events, summits, and conferences with some of the most important world leaders, celebrities, and Nobel Prize winners including: US President Barack Obama, US Vice-President Al Gore, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, film director Francis Ford Coppola, Sting, Pink Floyd, Andre Agassi and Enrique Iglesias amongst other notables.

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For more information, contact:

Pancho Campo

Founder / Conference Director

Sponsorships

CEO@Chrand.es

Michael Wangbickler

Publicity & Communications Director

Balzac Communications & Marketing

Mike@Balzac.com

David Furer

Host / Program Director

DF Consults

Rerufd@gmail.com

Ellen Walker-Matthews

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

Ellen@TOTABC.com

Kavan Vijayakumar

Industry Relations & Stewardship Specialist

Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program Winery Virtual Trade Booths

Kavan@TOTABC.com

Wendy Vallaster

Certified ISG Sommelier & Professional Wine Consultant

Green Wine Future Virtual Trade Booths

WendyVallaster@gmail.com

New BC Tourism Learning Portal from the BC Tourism Resiliency Network

The British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network (BCTRN) launched the BC Tourism Learning Portal, a free resource designed to support all B.C. tourism businesses through long-term access to resources.

The portal includes a high-functioning search tool so tourism businesses can ask a question and be provided with helpful information, including: articles, webinar recordings, case studies, links to resources on other sites, and experts offered by the Tourism Resiliency Program.

Thompson Okanagan companies can combine the learning portal with free 1-1 support from a TOTA Advisor through the Tourism Resiliency Program.

The recordings from the British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network Online Learning Day held September 28, 2021 are now available on the Learning Portal, and new content will be added on an ongoing basis.

Access Resources at Learn.TourismResiliency.ca

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BSAFE™️ Program Updated with Proof of Vaccination Information

go2HR's free online health and safety program for employees, BSAFE, has been updated to reflect Provincial Health Orders. BSAFE now includes BC Proof of Vaccination protocols as well as Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.

Learn More & Register →

This program is designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge for BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone — workers, guests and communities — safe as we continue to move through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Course details:

• Free for BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees

• Created by go2HR in partnership with tourism and hospitality stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports

• Asynchronous, online training course, 90-minutes in length

Organizations and individuals are able to sign up to take part in the BSAFE training. You can join the over 400 organizations who are already registered and working on becoming BSAFE Trained businesses. Upon full completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

Employers who have 75% of their workforce successfully complete the training course, will be recognized with a “BSAFE Trained” certificate. They can use this certificate in different ways to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe environment for guests and workers, thereby increasing consumer confidence. go2HR will provide a communications toolkit for BSAFE Trained business to easily assist them in promoting this new designation.

PHO Order on Workplace Safety Updated

The provincial health officer (PHO) has updated the Provincial Health Officer Order on Workplace Safety, to support the transition of employees back into the workplace.

The requirement for employers to allow workers to work from their private residence, if possible, has been lifted.

All workplaces must continue to have COVID-19 safety plans in place, and the PHO’s Face Coverings Order continues to apply to some workplaces.

The Province and the PHO recognize that every workplace is different. Many workplaces will be able to transition to in-person work again quickly. Others may wish to continue with remote or hybrid models. Workplaces and businesses are encouraged to choose the option that works best for them.

Learn More →

Student Hiring Resources from ACE-WIL - Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon

ACE-WIL BC/Yukon, the Association of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning, connects post-secondary students and employers for co-operative education and work-integrated learning experiences. ACE-WIL is a provincial not-for-profit that works with 25 accredited, publicly funded, post-secondary institutions in the BC/Yukon region that offer co-op and work-integrated learning programs.

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a model and process of curricular experiential education which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership between an academic institution, a host organization, and a student.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) students can offer so much to your organization, whether it’s taking on a one-off research project, developing a safety plan or user manual, managing your social media channels, handling accounting duties, plus so much more.

Talent MATCH

Talk to an advisor to learn which student talent programs best fits your organizational needs. Talent MATCH will connect you to the appropriate post-secondary school(s) and help you identify funding sources and wage subsidies. Organizations of all sizes are eligible through go2HR.

Learn More →

Resource Hub

The ACE-WIL Resource Hub offers tips for recruiting, accessing funding, and managing students remotely. You’ll find webinars, events, and funding opportunities.

Learn More →

Student Recruitment Guide

Talent MATCH created a student recruitment guide with lists of post-secondary institutions with hospitality, tourism, and culinary related programs and student hiring timelines.

Learn More →

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BC Tourism & Hospitality Award Finalists Announced

The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) announced the finalists of the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards!

The awards recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism & hospitality industry, showcasing the province’s most exceptional leaders and positive change-makers.

Following the call for submissions, the organizing committee received hundreds of nominations, highlighting the wealth of exceptional talent within our industry.

Congratulations to all the finalists! The Thompson Okanagan individuals recognized for their outstanding contribution to British Columbia's tourism and hospitality community are:

Accessibility Award | Sponsored by Destination British Columbia

• Mike Riediger | CEO, Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association

• Julie Ratcliffe | Marketing & Events Manager, BC Wildlife Park Kamloops

Employees First Award | Sponsored by go2HR

• Accent Inns & Hotel Zed | Employer

Indigenous Operator of the Year Award | Sponsored by Indigenous Tourism Canada

• Adam Blair | General Manager, Quaaout Lodge & Talking Rock Resort

Innovation Award | Sponsored by City of Richmond

• Kimberley Barnes | Marketing Director, Wine Growers British Columbia

Professional Excellence (DMO) Award | Sponsored by Destination Think!

• Thom Tischik | Executive Director, Travel Penticton

Community Contribution & Impact Award

• British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network

The winners will be awarded at the Awards Gala evening on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the Richmond Conference Centre, as part of the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference. There’s still time to purchase a ticket to the celebratory evening!

Register →

Learn More →

Updated Destination BC Messaging Guidance on How to Travel in BC This Winter

Both federal and provincial updates to current COVID-19 restrictions and border measures are now reflected in Destination BC’s Winter Travel Guide, which provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC.

Visitors will need to know what rules, recommendations and expectations are in place in BC to keep them, our residents, and our businesses safe, as they travel BC this winter. Refer people to Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page for the latest information; update any info on your site to reflect the latest recommendations.

Download Guide →

Budget 2022 Moves Stronger BC Plan Forward

Originally published by TIABC

On February 22, Premier John Horgan and Minister of Finance Selina Robinson delivered Budget 2022. The economic picture is expected to be short-lived due to an influx in pandemic-specific cash in the last year.

The forecast deficit for 2021/22 is now $483 million, a dramatic decrease from the $9.7 billion-projected deficit in last year’s budget. The one-year rebound is short-lived, with the province forecasting a deficit of $5.46 billion in 2022/23 and $4.18 billion in 2023/24. Budget 2022 has been build up the following three themes:

Building a stronger society by putting people first

1. The investments made to date in services like health care, child care and housing have supported people through the pandemic and recent climate-related disasters. Budget 2022 builds on this strength by continuing to invest in the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of the services people rely on.

Building a stronger environment for our future

1. Recent climate-related disasters have challenged British Columbians and reinforced the need to secure a low-carbon future for BC. Budget 2022 helps fight climate change, build back better from recent disasters, and makes sure people and communities throughout BC are protected from future disasters.

2. With significant new funding for Emergency Management BC and the BC Wildfire Service, Budget 2022 funds new facilities and equipment to respond to disasters and supports a proactive, year-round service model for the BC Wildlife Service. The BC Wildfire Service will be turned into a year-round service at a cost of $243 million.

Building a stronger economy for everyone

1. Budget 2022 helps make sure people throughout BC are poised to benefit from a growing economy, today and into the future by investing in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative economy that works for everyone.

2. Budget 2022 invests to connect another 280 First Nations, rural and remote communities to high-speed internet. With this investment, 82% of rural and remote communities and 92% of First Nations communities in BC will be connected to high-speed internet.

3. A New Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship will support economic activity, environmental sustainability and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

How Budget 2022 is Supporting the Tourism Sector Through Pandemic Recovery

Budget 2022 earmarks $25 million in funding to support the tourism sector’s continuing recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional funding is also being provided this year to support non-profit organizations affected by the pandemic; the recovery of the arts, culture and music sectors through the Arts Impacts and Amplify BC programs; and additional tourism supports, including funding to support the safe restart of fairs, festivals and events.

View BC Budget Highlights →

Download the Budget 2022 Strategic Plan →

View All BC Budget Information →

Destination BC Spring Marketing Campaign Seeking Your Travel Offers by March 8

Destination BC’s spring and summer campaigns will encourage people from within the province, Alberta, Ontario, California, and Washington to explore B.C. As part of these campaigns, they are promoting various travel offers through the Travel Deals page that encourages potential travellers to explore a variety of BC experiences, attractions, and accommodations.

To take advantage of the interest generated from these campaigns and motivate travellers to book with your tourism business, DBC encourages tourism businesses to post up to three offers on HelloBC before the first campaign launches on March 8.

Travel offers represent a key opportunity to generate referrals to your business from HelloBC and through Destination BC’s marketing activities and do not require you to discount your experiences or products. Offers can be an enticing package, an experience unique to the province, or a savings of some sort.

Submit a Travel Offer →

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BC Hospitality Foundation Scholarships Now Accepting Applications | Apply by March 31, 2022

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is now accepting applications for several scholarship programs which foster the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.

In 2022, the BCHF scholarship program will be the largest ever, at over $65,000, and there are new scholarships dedicated exclusively to supporting members of underrepresented groups such as First Nations and members of the LGBT2Q+ community.

All applicants must be committed to working in British Columbia for at least the next two years.

The deadline for most scholarship submissions is March 31, 2022.

Learn More →

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Leading Places: The 50 Most Loved Travel Destinations for Canada

Tourism Sentiment Index has released a report, Leading Places: The 50 Most Loved Travel Destinations for Canada in 2021. For the first time ever, destinations in Canada have been ranked to uncover those that are truly most loved, according to the Tourism Sentiment Score.

To produce the rankings, Tourism Sentiment Index conducted a study of a massive volume of online data – more than 1.6 billion online conversations and content pieces publicly available about 21,330 global destinations.

That study first produced the 100 most loved destinations around the world, including Kelowna and the Shuswap in the Thompson Okanagan. Now, rankings are available for Canada.

Congratulations to the destinations for earning the country’s most positive feedback and content in 2021!

From the Thompson Okanagan, the following destinations in were in the Top 50 2021 Canada Tourism Sentiment Index Rankings:

4. Kelowna

6. Shuswap

11. Okanagan Valley

13. Similkameen

36. Vernon

40. Thompson Valley

48. Kamloops

View Full Report →

Watch TIAC Release of Canada’s Top 50 Destinations:

New Biosphere Committed Company, Naramata Inn

Naramata Inn

Naramata Inn

At Naramata Inn, they know they live in a special place. The history, the vineyards, the beaches, the fruit - Naramata Inn is a treasure worth caring for. Naramata Inn has a rich history deeply rooted in their location, and they feel compelled to care for the land, the people, and the community. Naramata provides so much, and they want to be stewards for their destination, for years to come. The Biosphere Commitment Program is a great way for the Naramata Inn to take thoughtful, practical steps to increase their sustainability efforts. Being able to choose Sustainable Development Goals that resonate with their team means getting buy-in from staff at all levels, and that is really exciting.

Sustainability to Naramata Inn means creating positive impact, both locally and further afield. While Naramata may be a small village, visitors come from around the world. Their reach extends far, and their sustainability goals will help to ensure that they not only lessen any impact, but rather, create a positive impact. They continue to seek out a lot of different ways that they can incorporate local businesses and local products to ensure that, over time, the property is representative of the Village, Naramata Bench, and region. That is a way to make the businesses more sustainable, make the village more sustainable, and showcase the very best that Naramata offers the world in all areas.

With sustainable seafood and hyper-local produce at the forefront of our restaurant mandate, we have always approached business - and life - with an eye towards sustainable living. Healthy oceans, local produce, and a productive and happy team are at the centre of everything we do. Having Sustainable Development Goals to quantify our efforts in these areas ensure that we continue to grow and better ourselves and this place.

- Kate Colley, Owner, Naramata Inn

Naramata Inn’s commitment to supporting local is reflective not only on the inn itself, but also of the Village, the Naramata Bench, and the Okanagan as a whole. Part of being a steward of sustainability for Naramata extends to other areas of the inn itself, which the visitors see and appreciate. The small touches like linen napkins and staff uniforms from the local handmade linen store, to local soap in the rooms, to local lavender products and honey in the rooms, are all small touches that speak to the importance of supporting local. Their guests see these special local touches and understand that their choices of where to spend vacation dollars reverberate for and wide. It’s an important part of who they are, and they are excited to push themselves even further for the benefit of their community.

As a “great restaurant with rooms”, the Naramata Inn has an opportunity to grow in sustainability efforts as both a Restaurant and as an Inn. Chef Ned Bell has made his life’s work around supporting healthy oceans through Oceanwise. With an eye towards supporting local, they forge relationships with the best local orchardists, farmers, growers, and foragers. This allows their menu to change with the seasons, and to explore the bounty of the Okanagan. They truly have everything they need to create memorable dishes using hyper-local products. While some of these sustainability efforts have come naturally, they are thankful to the Biosphere Commitment Program for the encouragement to explore additional avenues for improvement.

In an often male-dominated industry, the Restaurant at Naramata Inn has been given the unique opportunity to showcase the talents of a number of successful, female culinary staff. Their leadership team in the kitchen is actually female-dominated, which is a rarity in the industry! By recognizing this somewhat unusual status, they are excited to explore the Sustainable Development Goals relating to Gender Equality. Not only does this help to make the kitchen a more positive workplace for all, but if it helps to attract talented staff (regardless of gender) and put an end to the outdated gender stereotypes that restaurant kitchens are known for - that is something that they are happy to stand behind.

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New Biosphere Committed Company, Howling Moon Craft Cider

Howling Moon Craft Cider

Since inception, Howling Moon Craft Cider has been built on a value system of creating opportunity from resources that are undervalued and abundant. As Howling Moon Craft Cider and their family grows, it is important to them to recognize the impact they have on their community and their land, to ensure that they are contributing to positive change for future generations. They have joined the Biosphere Commitment Program with hope that the program will be a guiding light that helps them ensure the choices they make are ingrained with sustainable decision making.

“Sustainability is like an umbrella that spans each aspect of our business. It is a holistic approach to looking at the company and the choices that we make on a daily basis. It encompasses things like: where we purchase our ingredients, the packaging we use, how and where we market our products, how we manage waste, the impact our footprint has in our community, and the way we farm our apples.”

- Kate Dursick, Owner of Howling Moon Craft Cider

Sustainability touches on so many areas of their business at Howling Moon Craft Cider. Upcycling is something they have done since the beginning, finding a value stream for unwanted orchard fruit, protecting the waterways through Salmon Safe, finding fertile land for their orchard that requires minimal irrigation; these are all elements of their sustainability commitment that are intrinsically built into their daily life and decision making. The concept of creating opportunity from bioproducts that may have otherwise ended up in the landfill has given them a starting point for building a sustainable enterprise.

We are excited to be part of the Biosphere Commitment Program and looking forward to thinking about sustainability in a way that will allow us to develop a baseline and set metrics for improvement and take things to the next level.

-Kate Dursick

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B.C. Eased COVID Restrictions on February 16, 2022

B.C. eased some COVID-19 restrictions as of Feb. 16, 2022, while maintaining key protective measures to support the health and safety of all British Columbians.

While keeping the BC Vaccine Card, indoor masking requirements, and COVID-19 safety plans in place, B.C. lifted restrictions on personal gatherings, organized gatherings and events, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, exercise and fitness, and adult sports tournaments. Capacity limits will return to normal.

With more than 90% of eligible B.C. residents vaccinated with their second dose, British Columbia will transition to a sustainable COVID-19 management plan focusing on vaccination, self-monitoring and specific actions to protect those most at risk.

Based on hospitalization and critical care rates over the coming days and weeks, the provincial health officer will review the remaining protective measures by March 15, and again by April 12.

View Current Restrictions →
View Announcement →

New Biosphere Committed Company, Destination Silver Star

Credit: Destination BC/Ben Giesbrecht

Destination Silver Star

Destination Silver Star has joined the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program, reflecting their core value of sustainability. Operating in Silver Star Provincial Park near Vernon, B.C., respect for the natural environment is considered the foundation of the destination's success. They continually seek balance in their actions, look to benefit the whole, and collaborate as partners in the community.

For Destination Silver Star’s community, sustainability is environmental, an efficiency first approach in destination development, and overall wellbeing that benefits the local and visitor economy.

Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

2022 marks the first year of the resort association and they endeavour to lead sustainable initiatives across the destination with their members and for their visitors. The largest partner, Silver Star Mountain Resort, is committed to doing all that they can to protect the environment and enable participation in adventure support community. As a company they believe strongly in minimizing impact on the environment in order to preserve this incredible natural playground for generations to come.

Silver Star Mountain Resort invests heavily in:

• Water management and conservation with 100% natural snow (reduces water, fuel and electricity with no snowmaking)

• Emissions and fuel reduction with the industry’s newest grooming fleet

• Expanded their recycling program

• Energy management

• Conservation

• Green products

• Government collaboration.

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BC Tourism & Hospitality Labour Market Recovery Framework

go2HR shared the results of their labour recovery framework which was built by representatives from industry associations and regional destination management organizations and go2HR.

This framework will serve as a pathway to partnership with governments as they continue to invest in the tourism industry’s recovery and longer-term growth.

The pillars are:

1. Grow labour supply

2. Renew our value

3. Engage on housing

4. Build back stronger

5. Skills development

6. Tech transformation

Learn More & Download Flatsheet →

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go2HR and CMHA Launch Free Mental Health Skills Online Course

The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry. As they continue prioritizing mental health and workplace wellness in 2022, go2HR encourages you to register for a new course in partnership with CMHA BC.

'Primary Concerns by Not 9 to 5' is a free online course that can help you maintain your mental health. It can also serve as a guide if you're holding space to care for another person experiencing an emotional or mental crisis.

Some of the things you'll learn:

• Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide help to prevent or avoid crises Improve one's mental health

• Support the creation of a psychologically safe workplace

Learn More →

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B.C. Labour Market Outlook Report: Strong Demand for Accommodation, Food Services Sector Forecast

The provincial government’s 2021 Labour Market Outlook (LMO) forecasts more than one million job openings over the next decade.

The report points to a strong demand for workers in the accommodation and food services sectors. In fact, with 65,000 job openings over the next 10 years the sector is one of five industries to account for about half of total job openings. The other four are health care and social assistance; professional, scientific and technical services; retail trade; and construction.

In the big picture, there are 1,004,000 job openings expected through to 2031 across B.C., and 63% of them will be to replace people leaving the workforce permanently, such as retirees. The remaining 37% will be new jobs created by economic growth and pandemic recovery.

The report notes B.C.’s workforce will be required to build new skills and knowledge to keep pace with the openings. Nearly 80% of the future job openings will require some level of post-secondary education or training.

The LMO also assesses the continuation of historical productivity growth and automation trends. It incorporates the expected increase in productivity due to COVID-19 in industries including tourism and hospitality and retail, as well as other industry-specific trends.

Learn More →