Three new downloadable workbooks available from emerit

If you've earned your national emerit certification in one of Canada's recognized tourism professions, you're likely familiar with the training workbook that you received. While you were able to complete other components of your training online, that workbook was only available in its printed edition - until now.

This week, emerit released the workbook in a new, downloadable format, starting with these three occupations:

• Front Desk Agent.
• Reservation Sales Agent.
• Tourism Visitor Information Counsellor.

The cost for each of the downloadable versions is $70, compared with $85 for the hard-copy workbooks. You can still download and use the national occupational standards for free.

emerit is recognized by tourism employers across Canada. Tourism Certified Professionals meet job standards set by industry. To become certified, individuals must pass exams demonstrating their knowledge and practical skills, and complete a minimum number of hours to gain experience. It takes from six months to two years to become emerit certified, depending on past experience and knowledge.

emerit Professional Certification is available for 27 of the 46 tourism professions with National Occupational Standards.  STEC is the local representative of the emerit training brand, offered through the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council.  Certification obtained in Saskatchewan is recognized nationally across Canada. In 2011, STEC recognized the province's 2000th certified professional.

Designations are available for Tourism Certified Professional (TCP), Tourism Certified Supervisor (TCS), and Tourism Certified Manager (TCM).