Vancouver: Canadian International Training & Education Corp. (CITREC) and Butari Training & Assessment Pvt. Ltd. of India have entered into an agreement that will see Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) emerit Tourism Training courses being offered in India.
This unique partnership will also allow those waiting to go to Canada as permanent residents and temporary foreign workers to improve their chances of being employed in Canada’s tourism sector by taking the emerit certification. emerit tourism training and certification, is recognized across Canada.
CTHRC President Wendy Swedlove has welcomed the partnership saying the emerit program will provide people with the opportunity to be Job Ready when they arrive in Canada.
“The economic slowdown over the past couple of years has provided a temporary reprieve from labour shortage, but the underlying demographic realities still exist, and labour shortages will once again be a major concern for Canadian tourism operators. Our Tourism Labour and Supply Demand Study shows that Canada could face shortages equivalent to almost 219,000 jobs by 2025. The opportunity to access emerit training abroad will be advantageous for those looking for work in Canada, because employers looking for staff are generally hiring for attitude and aptitude, but being able to demonstrate you have the requisite knowledge , based on Canadian standards is the added piece that could help you be successful” CTHRC President Ms. Swedlove said.
The latest update of the Tourism Labour Supply and Demand study for Canada’s tourism sector shows that as demand for labour grows, the pool of available workers will have an increasingly difficult time keeping up. Canada’s population is aging, causing a significant deceleration in labour force growth over the long term. The consequences of labour shortages—such as missed opportunities for investment in the sector and the inability to meet potential demand—could cost Canadian tourism businesses billions of dollars.
Four of the five tourism occupations expected to face the most significant shortage of workers are found primarily in the food and beverage services industry. In absolute terms, by 2025, food counter attendants and kitchen helpers could suffer a shortage equivalent to 49,000 full-year jobs, while food and beverage servers are projected to face a shortage equivalent to 43,000 full-year jobs. Other occupations in the top five lists of shortages include cooks, bartenders, and program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport.
CITREC will also be launching a National Job Data Bank in January 2012 that will allow Canadian employers to hire emerit certified graduates with confidence from overseas.
The course being offered in India features the world-renowned emerit® Tourism Training resources developed by CTHRC. Students who successfully pass one of the occupation-specific online exams at the completion of the program will be awarded emerit® Occupational Knowledge certificate. These certificates are issued on behalf of CTHRC by Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC), and are of equivalent value to those issued within Canada.
CTHRC is the only tourism sector council in Canada. The Council serves as a national forum to facilitate human resource development activities, which will support a globally competitive and sustainable Canadian tourism industry. Working with businesses, industry associations, labour, educators, and government, they establish and implement National Occupational Standards, training and Professional Certification for the tourism industry. CTHRC receives funding from the Government of Canada .
STEC Director Ms. Carol Lumb has enthusiastically welcomed the partnership.
“We are thrilled that Canada’s tourism training is being recognized internationally. It is a testament to the many industry professionals who were integral to the development of the Occupational standards; that are so widely used across Canada. To have these standards become available overseas validates the hard work and commitment of all involved,” Ms. Lumb said.
Ms.Lumb said that STEC will also be offering Serve it Right Saskatchewan and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) as part of the training programs in India.
SIRS program was developed in partnership with the beverage alcohol industry and government based on a commitment to ensure activities associated with the sale of alcohol are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. The ultimate goal of SIRS is to promote responsible alcohol service in Saskatchewan.
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS “controlled products”, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and training programs.
CITREC CEO Mr. Ashwant Dwivedi said that the partnership with Butari will allow international clients to access emerit training in India, and to obtain an Occupational Knowledge Certificate same as that obtained in Canada by a Canadian student.
“We are honoured to enter into partnership with Butari Training & Assessment Pvt Ltd and I am confident that the launch of the emerit program will be an advantage to foreign nationals who have always wanted to gain Canadian-recognized credentials in the tourism and hospitality sector,” Mr. Dwivedi said.
” CITREC will be providing Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a pool of emerit qualified persons. With the increasing demand for tourism workers the CITREC managed job data bank will provide Canadian employers an avenue to choose foreign tourism workers with confidence,” Mr. Dwivedi said.
“The 46 tourism occupation resources represent the broad spectrum of tourism careers available today. The standards are national guidelines that assist tourism professionals in acquiring the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to achieve excellence. ,” states Mr. Dwivedi.
About CTHRC
The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) is a national organization that facilitates and coordinates human resources development activities, which support a globally competitive, and sustainable Canadian tourism sector. The Council conducts labour market research (www.cthrc.ca), offers training and recognition under the emerit tourism training brand (www.emerit.ca), promotes the advantages of working in the sector through Discover Tourism (www.discovertourism .ca), and helps identify companies with positive HR practices through its employee-rated Employer of Choice program.
About STEC
STEC is a award-winning division of Tourism Saskatchewan. As a Tourism Human Resource Organization, it is committed to the provision of education and training that supports professional growth and human resource development in Saskatchewan’s tourism sector. Since 1990, it has supported a professional tourism workforce by developing, promoting, coordinating, and evaluating industry-managed standards, certification, career awareness, and training. STEC has one of the highest per capita participation rates in Professional Certification across Canada, and participates in over 95% of all national development activities. This ensures that Saskatchewan’s tourism sector is represented in all program and product development across the nation. STEC also works in partnership with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission to offer apprenticeships in two trades: Food and Beverage Person and Guest Services Representative. These apprenticeships are the first of their kind in Canada.
About CITREC
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING & EDUCATION CORP. (CITREC) offers Canadian standard education and training beyond borders in collaboration with our partner institutions. CITREC specializes in bringing Canadian institutions and certification programs to the world and making Canadian education more accessible globally. CITREC introduces and promotes knowledge solutions aimed at preparing youth to become leaders and succeed in the global workforce. CITREC is committed to quality, not quantity. CITREC partners include the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), which is Saskatchewan’s primary public institution for skills training and technical education, recognized nationally and internationally. CITREC endeavors to provide the best education options and life-enriching experiences to students worldwide. The programs offered by CITREC are recognized in Canada and the qualifications are the same as those obtained by Canadian students. CITREC has also partnered with the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, which is a self-regulating, professional association of 75,000 students, and Certified General Accountants — CGAs.
CITREC’s partnership with the CanadianTourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) and the Saskatchewan Tourism Human Resource Council brings Canadian tourism certification to foreign countries in a classroom setting.