High schools throughout BC offer key hospitality and tourism programs that benefit students as well as industry employers – and any employer advantage is a good one in today’s tight labour market.
With thousands of jobs available throughout the province – and forecasted to grow by 2015 – employers are struggling to find workers to fill a variety of positions.
Given the tight labour market and the myriad of “Help Wanted” ads that seem to be everywhere, many tourism and hospitality employers are turning to their local high school programs for help.
One of the most highly regarded programs of this kind is ACE-IT, which offers a variety of apprenticeship training programs – including the popular Cooks Training program.
Short for Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training, ACE IT is an industry certification program for BC secondary students that enables them to earn credit for the first level of technical training associated with an Industry Training Program or apprenticeship.
Along with offering a head start for students interested in the hospitality industry, this program can provide the industry with a temporary workforce of eager and keen students to help fill the current labour crunch – as well as an opportunity for future hires.
While not mandatory in all school districts, Burnaby requires its ACE-IT students to complete 120 to 240 hours of hands-on work experience in order to complete either program.
Depending on the local school district’s ACE-IT program requirements, these programs can provide employers with much-needed labour. Burnaby’s Shark Club restaurant has been an active participant in the local ACE-IT Cooks Training Program for more than a year.
“This program provides great access to students who are eager to learn and grow on the job,” explains Jack Mihaichuk, Executive Chef at the Shark Club. “Along with providing a great training ground, this program helps students get some practical experience under their belt and introduces them to the industry.”
Gianluca Russo is just one example of how these kinds of industry programs are helping to introduce and encourage students to the industry. A recent graduate of Burnaby’s Alpha Secondary School, Russo entered the Cooks Training Level I program while in Grade 11 and worked at the Burnaby Shark Club restaurant as part of his Grade 12 Cooks Training practicum.
Due to his practical work experience – and early training towards his Red Seal Certification – Russo considers himself ahead of his peers.
“This program really helped me. I’m already years ahead because of my culinary training,” Russo says. “I learned a lot about the industry at an early age, giving me a chance to step up, get ahead and progress quicker into my career.”
This past May, Russo entered the Best Teen Chef competition in which he placed 8th nationally and 1st in BC – earning him a $10,000 scholarship at Dubrulle Culinary Arts.
“There is no doubt that my school training – the courses and the work experience – gave me a great advantage in winning this scholarship,” he adds.
Russo’s hands-on work experience and industry certification also earned him a position at The Shore Club restaurant in Vancouver, where he will work part-time as a line cook while attending Dubrulle.
“We’re trying to provide training for students that we feel the industry is demanding,” adds Paul Arthur, Program Consultant, Career Programs at the Burnaby School District. “Through this program, these students are being prepared for a variety of entry-level and professional jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry.”
Along with ACE-IT, many BC high schools offer additional tourism and hospitality programs that benefit students and industry employers, including Tourism 11 and 12 curriculum programs and Burnaby’s Hospitality Management Program. For a list of tourism and hospitality school programs in your area, check with your local school district.
Whether it’s for part-time, seasonal or even full-time employment, one thing is for certain: These bright, young students are “ACE-ing it” to help build the industry’s workforce – now and in the future.
