The more training you have, the more you have to offer potential employers, thus increasing your chances of landing the job that you want! So check out your tourism education and training options below.

BC Tourism Learning System

The BC Tourism Learning System (TLS) includes the laddered tourism and hospitality  education programs shown here. These programs follow an 'industry approved' core curriculum — making sure you get practical training and education that is valued by employers!

LinkBC

LinkBC – the tourism and hospitality education network for BC – shares research findings, tourism knowledge and resources with its network partners to promote best practices in tourism education. Partners include 20 colleges and universities with tourism and hospitality programs, and LinkBC's four initiatives include: serve as an industry and education information hub; connect industry to students and grads; strengthen the Tourism Learning System; promote BC as an international tourism and hospitality learning destination.

EDUCATION OPTIONS

Secondary School Programs
A head start for your career in tourism!

• Tourism 11 and 12 classes.
• The Canadian Academy of Travel & Tourism (CATT).
• Tourism Career Awareness Program (TCAP).
• Secondary school apprenticeship programs.

More information here.

Certificate/Diploma Programs
Learning the essentials!

• These tourism and hospitality programs are offered at public and some private colleges and universities.
• Certificates are one year in length or less and prepare you for front-line positions in the industry.
• Diplomas are usually two years in length and prepare you for front-line or supervisory-trainee  positions.

Search go2's Tourism Training Directory for specific programs & institutions.

Interested in work placements?

Degree Programs
Building on the essentials!

• Typically four years in length, degree programs challenge you to learn the management level skills required to enjoy life-long career opportunities in senior positions.

Search go2's Tourism Training Directory for specific programs & institutions.

Interested in work placements?

Post Graduate Programs
Taking it to another level!

• Masters and doctoral programs are available for those that want to pursue advanced level of studies and research relating to the tourism industry.

Search go2's Tourism Training Directory for specific programs & institutions.

INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS

Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn!

• Apprenticeship is paid work-based training combined with post-secondary education.
• Tourism apprenticeships are available for cooks, bakers and other specialized trades.

More information here.

Skills Certificates
A great starting point!

• FOODSAFE™ A provincial program which focuses on safe food handling.
• Serving It Right™ BC's mandatory self-study program for the responsible service of alcohol.
• WorldHost® Training Services (Formerly SuperHost®) Internationally recognized workshops for training in customer service.
• FirstHost A customer service workshop, promoting excellence in aboriginal hospitality skills.

National Certification
emerit… great for those already working in tourism!

• A national certification process that challenges an individual to demonstrate they have mastered the required skills and met the standards of their profession in a practical job setting.

For more information visit www.emerit.ca