Canada has made hospitality and tourism
an art, and many of the country’s educational institutions
specialize in preparing people for careers in this dynamic sector.
It’s easy to understand why. Tourism has always played an important
role in Canada’s economy, as for centuries people have enjoyed
visiting this vast, beautiful country. Now every year millions of
people visit hotels, restaurants, resorts and clubs across Canada
- injecting millions of dollars into a sector that supports thousands
of businesses and jobs.
Canada’s colleges and universities have in turn responded
to the growing need for highly qualified staff with a wide variety
of programs from basic hospitality training to the postgraduate
management degrees. Because of its national importance, hospitality
and tourism training in Canada achieves high, international standards.
Training often combines both European and international traditions
of quality and service coupled with models of North American efficiency
and use of advanced technology.
Hospitality and Tourism encompasses numerous sub sectors including
accommodation and lodging, food and beverage service, tourism, travel
and transportation, and event management.
The extensive variety of programs in Canada mirrors the endless
possibilities associated with a career in the hospitality and tourism
industry. From short programs which can vary in length from ten
to forty weeks, to the apprenticeship model, to one-year, two-year
or three-year college vocational models, to four-year undergraduate,
post-diploma and graduate degrees, the educational opportunities
are limitless.
The wide range of programs ensures prospective students have a
variety of career options. Hospitality and Tourism education in
Canada can be accomplished through public and private institutions.
The Canadian colleges offer a strong practical focus to prepare
students for front-line positions in the industry. In addition industry-based
partnerships result in extensive apprenticeship programs in cooking
and baking. Specific colleges also cater to specific niche markets
such as festival and event management and culinary specialties including
Aboriginal, Chinese, Italian, Patissier, and Sommelier programs.
An easy path to obtaining a university degree, known as two plus
two’s, combines hands-on skills acquired in a college program
with university courses to make a highly employable individual.
University undergraduate degree programs include either a Bachelor
of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration, or a Bachelor
of Applied Sciences. Graduate programs are in areas of administration
and management.
Potential students should invest time, energy and resources to
carefully research the program that best suits their needs. A careful
review of curriculum is only one aspect of choosing the best hospitality
program. Other factors to consider include institutional reputation,
student awards, faculty publications and involvement in the industry,
and graduate employment. Location and size are big factors as well.
Metropolitan locations offer students the opportunity to benefit
from the country’s rich and extensive multicultural communities
and offer high quality work experience. Suburban and rural locations
give students the benefits of a natural setting.
Students should also carefully consider facilities and resources
available. The industry is ever-changing and the currency of the
faculty should be reflected in its labs, theaters, computer technology
and library. Furthermore, support services such as peer-tutoring
programs, faculty mentoring, student advisory, housing and residency
and financial aid are indicative of an institution’s service
to a student.
Author, Dan Borowec, Academic Chair, Faculty of Hospitality/Tourism,
George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
This article first appeared in TransWorld Education
