emerit certification is a professional credential recognized by tourism employers across Canada. Certification is a demonstration of competency, which means that Certified Professionals meet job standards set by industry. Earning this important credential means that candidates will be recognized as being leading professionals in their industry. By achieving emerit certification, they earn the right to display their professional designations on business cards and résumés.
Frontline Employees earn the Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) designation. As a Supervisor, a candidate achieves the Tourism Certified Supervisor (TCS) designation and as a Manager is eligible for the Tourism Certified Manager (TCM) designation. Click here to find out the certification details for each occupation.
There are three steps to obtaining Professional Certification:
Step 1: Occupational knowledge exam
The occupational knowledge exam is based on the National Occupational Standards. All exams are multiple-choice with 100 to 150 questions and can be written online, scheduled at one's convenience or paper-based at a scheduled writing session. The exam is supervised by a proctor, and most candidates will take two to three hours to complete the exam.
Each exam has a unique passing score. Typically, the passing score will range between 70 and 85 per cent. The results are calculated by a computer and kept confidential. Every candidate has the right to appeal results.
Step 2: Workplace experience
Candidates are required to have a certain number of hours of workplace experience. Workplace experience refers to relevant and relatively recent experience. Generally, this means four to six months at 40 hours per week, but it can be up to two years for supervisory and managerial occupations. To show that the requirements are being met, records of relevant work experience are required.
Step 3: Performance evaluation
The performance evaluation is conducted by a trained industry evaluator who tests the candidate's skills on the job. The intent of the evaluation is to confirm the candidate's ability to perform the necessary skills in the workplace, according to the standards.
The evaluation is based on a range of skills selected from the standards, and may be conducted in one of the following forms: in-person observation (may be incognito), structured interview/simulations; case study or portfolio.
The Self-Review or Supervisor Sign-off Checklist will help the candidate prepare. It contains all of the potential skills that will be tested. Ideally your supervisor or mentor will assist you in ranking the skills listed on this checklist. Once a candidate has mastered the skills, the supervisor signs the checklist, indicating that the candidate is ready for the formal evaluation.
Candidates must achieve a set passing score of essential and desirable skills in order to complete the performance evaluation successfully.
Upon successful completion of the performance evaluation and meeting all other requirements, go2 will present the candidate with certificate and pin.
Certification Prerequisites
For some certification programs, candidates may be required to meet additional conditions in order to qualify. These conditions usually refer to practices concerning health or safety. For example, candidates may be required to prove they have completed a program on basic first aid, gun safety, safe handling food or responsible beverage service.
Click here to register online.
