YARMOUTH, N.S. — A new province-wide program is addressing some of the challenges faced by those in the tourism industry.
Liz Lore, regional training co-ordinator with Yarmouth Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA), says the two pillars addressed by the program are extending the operating season for tourism businesses and enhancing the skills of the workforce.
“To help businesses extend their tourism season, this program offers a wage subsidy of 50 per cent for qualifying businesses in conjunction with other training. The wage subsidy is by application and managed and approved by TIANS (Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia),” she said.
Free training opportunities available to businesses that interact with the region’s visitors include customer service workshops as well as online training with Emerit.ca, a recognized industry provider of skills development. Subject areas include food and beverage, housekeeping, event management and much more.
Tourism certified management and professional programs are also available, tour guide to heritage interpreter being examples. Professional certification enhances the career prospects of the workforce and increases the level of professionalism in the tourism industry.
Neil Mackenzie, CEO of YASTA, says the primary goal is to help tourism and hospitality operators extend the region’s tourism season and enhance workforce skills.
“This project will help us build industry capacity around key skills and seasonality to create a strong, resilient tourism industry in the region for now and in the future.”
Lore says they’ve had very positive feedback from those participating in the program.
“I think it’s great for businesses. It’s been a difficult year for some and this is one way of preparing them for the future.”
The program ends March 2020.
YASTA is a key partner in delivering the new program Addressing Seasonality in the Tourism Economy and Impact on Labour from NSTHRC (Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resources Council) and TIANS.
More info
To find out more about the free training opportunities available, email YASTA’s regional training co-ordinator, Liz Lore.
Sign up for email notifications of upcoming free training workshops.
