You want to graduate high school with the skills and a bit of an edge to get you into the post-secondary institution or employer of your choice. Tourism sounds cool; adventure, travel, new people—here’s a high school program to get you noticed and employed.
The Tourism Career Program covers the essential knowledge and skills you need to build a solid base for front-line employment—no matter what sector of the industry you want to work in.
Students who complete the program will not only be equipped to enter the tourism industry but will also have an advantage over the competition—because industry recognizes the program for providing students with skills tailored to its needs. A 120-hour work experience component makes sure that students have a chance to turn the theories and principles learned into real, practical skills.
The Tourism Career Program is made up of four courses over the Grade 11 and 12 years. The first two courses are the grade 11 and 12 classroom instruction. They cover topics like: introduction to tourism and tourism careers, professional and effective communications, elements of customer service and tourism as a business. The third course is the 120-hour work experience component. For the fourth course, where its available, students can choose a related Training Elective that varies by school. In total when a student passes all required courses for the program they receive up to 16 credits toward graduation. For specific information please see the career counselor at your school.
Industry is realizing the need to invest in the development of future tourism professionals so they can access a stronger pool of motivated and industry-aware entry-level employees. Post Secondary programs realize the need to foster these programs as the first step in fulfilling their mandate to produce the potential Supervisors and Managers for industry. Partnerships with Tourism Career Program teachers both in the classroom and in work experience placements are creating a win/win situation for the industry, the school and most importantly the student.
