Advancing education and certification in the Special Events industry
September 22, 2010 – Today, The Art Institute of Vancouver (AIV) becomes the first post-secondary institution in Western Canada to have its Event Management Diploma curriculum fully recognized by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) as the knowledge component of the emerit® Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) - Event Coordinator (EVC) designation.
The EVC designation is a professional credential recognized by tourism employers nationwide. The certification is a demonstration of competency, meaning that certified professionals meet the highest standards set by the industry.
To become certified, individuals must successfully pass a knowledge exam, complete a practical evaluation of performance and have completed 1,500 industry volunteer or work hours.
Current and future AIV students who successfully fulfill the requirements of the Event Management Diploma Program with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 will automatically qualify to receive credit towards the knowledge component of the TCP-EVC certification. They will not be required to complete the written exam.
"Today we celebrate a major milestone in the development of our Event Management program. We are extremely proud to become the first institution to fully integrate CTHRC's international event management standards into our program's curriculum and the first in Western Canada to articulate the designation. Entering into this agreement provides students with a unique opportunity.", mentions Mr. Tom Kim, President of the AIV.
Wendy Swedlove, President of CTHRC states; "The CTHRC is proud to be part of such an important agreement. This signing is proof that Canadian tourism businesses and the education community are keen to recognize the merits of one another's programming and credentials. The big winner in this agreement is the student who leaves a post-secondary institution with not only a highly regarded diploma, but credit towards nationally-recognized, industry developed professional certification."
A Rigorous Two-Year Evaluation Process
Over the last two years, AIV and the CTHRC have analyzed and compared the Event Management Diploma Program to the Occupational Knowledge component of the TCP-Event Coordinator certification program. After going through a rigorous evaluation process, CTHRC's board of directors has approved the competency equivalence. As a result, the two organizations as well as go2, the provincial partner of the CTHRC and delivery agent of emerit® tourism training and certification in the province of British Columbia, have entered into an articulation agreement. As of now, this allows 32 students of the Summer 2010 cohort to benefit from this agreement.
About the Art Institute of Vancouver
The Art Institute of Vancouver is part of The Art Institutes, a network of over 45 schools spread across North America. Since 2002, the Art Institute of Vancouver has been offering an array of exciting applied arts programs in such diverse fields as Graphic Design, Advanced Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Fashion Marketing & Management, Interior Design, Event Management, Animation Art & Design, Game Art & Design, 3D Modeling for Animation & Games, Digital Film & Video, Professional Recording Arts, Visual & Game Programming, VFX for Filmmaking & Television, Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Business Management, Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership, and Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership. AIV aims at providing exceptional learner-centered and industry-driven education to prepare graduates for entry level positions in their chosen career.
About The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council
Established in 1993, the CTHRC is a national not-for-profit organization that promotes and enhances professionalism in the Canadian tourism sector while working to address the sector's human resource needs. The CTHRC is one of Canada's leading sector councils and works on behalf of the 174,000 businesses and 1.7 million workers that make up the country's vibrant tourism sector. Collectively, Council members and the CTHRC bring together Canadian tourism businesses, labour unions, associations, educators and governments to coordinate human resource development activities and contribute to a sustainable, globally competitive tourism sector.
About go2
go2 was created by the BC tourism industry in 2003 to deal with the labour shortage and other HR issues. Through its programs and services go2, an independent, non-profit society has a mandate to coordinate the industry's workforce development strategy.
For further information:
Maninder Ark
Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs
The Art Institute of Vancouver
Tel: 778-373-8928
Email: mark@aii.edu
