“Bridging the Gap” Workshop

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC), is offering a free, half-day workshop for employment service providers and community-based service organizations called "Bridging the Gap" – Preparing Internationally Trained Workers for Careers in the Canadian Tourism Industry.

The workshop addresses common challenges that these organizations face when assisting their clients who may be transitioning into the tourism sector:

• Identify the needs of employment service providers working with newcomers working in tourism.
• Introduce specialized tools and resources that ease newcomers’ transition into the Canadian tourism sector.

The workshop will take place in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 30 from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, please contact Darla Wyatt, STEC Career Coordinator at 1-800-331-1529 or darla.wyatt@sasktourism.com.

Help create a National Occupational Standard for Hotel General Manager

The Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council (STEC) is looking for hotel managers to participate in a one-day focus group to provide feedback on a proposed emerit National Occupational Standard for Hotel General Manager. The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council is developing the National Occupational Standard and Essential Skills Profile in collaboration with STEC.

We are looking for managers responsible for day-to-day management of their properties and staff, including those working in limited service or full service properties, and independent or chain hotels. Your knowledge and experience will help create an emerit standard that accurately reflects the realities of the occupation.

The focus group will be held in Saskatoon on Tuesday, November 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reimbursement is available for pre-approved travel expenses, accommodations and incidentals.

For more information, please contact Darla Wyatt, STEC Career Coordinator at 1-800-331-1529 or darla.wyatt@sasktourism.com.

Tourism Scholarships Awarded

Chelsea Woolhouse has been awarded one of two Tourism Saskatchewan Scholarships. A $500 scholarship is awarded annually to a second year SIAST Recreation and Tourism Management student. Woolhouse worked previously as Economic Development officer in Gravelbourg and served on the town’s tourism and museum boards. She was instrumental in planning the annual Summer Solstice Festival D’été. Last summer she worked at the Ness Creek Music Festival in Big River.

Troy Crowe received a $500 scholarship awarded annually to a Saskatchewan student enrolled in the Adventure Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (ATOR) program at Lakeland College in Vermillion, AB. Crowe fell in love with the outdoors after taking part in a Kinsmen Telemiracle 10-day trail ride at the age of eight. After high school, he explored the USA and Canada, inspired by the book Into the Wild by John Krauker, an adventure that ultimately led to entering the ATOR program. While there, he started riding bulls and certified as a PADI professional rescue diver.

Certified Professionals and Journeypersons Honoured

Saskatchewan’s tourism sector honoured 131 new nationally certified tourism professionals and 34 apprentices at the 18th Annual Tourism Professional Recognition Dinners, June 13 at the Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon and June 15 at the Ramada Hotel & Convention Centre in Regina.

Two honourees received special recognition at the Saskatoon dinner. Lena Mah, who worked at the Park Town Hotel in 1994, was the first person in Saskatchewan to complete a professional certification, as Bartender. Lisa Poundmaker, certified in Food and Beverage Server and Bartender at Dakota Dunes Casino, received STEC’s 2,000th certification. Both women were presented with special gifts in recognition of the milestones their professional certifications represent for tourism.

The dinners also acknowledged the contributions of 28 Saskatchewan businesses committed to employee development through National Occupational Standards and emerit Professional Certification, 36 organizations that have achieved Service Best Business designation and nine businesses recognized as Employers of Choice.

Tourism Ambassadors and Educator of the Year Announced

Three individuals received Ambassador Awards, presented at the 18th Annual Tourism Professional Recognition Dinners in Saskatoon and Regina, June 13 and 15, respectively. The awards are presented to outstanding certified professionals who demonstrate exemplary dedication to professional development in Saskatchewan’s tourism sector.

• Rita Mayes, Housekeeping Manager at the Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon, received the award for the Accommodations industry.
• Kathy Fitton, Manager of the Western Development Museum, Moose Jaw, was named Ambassador for the Recreation and Entertainment industry.
• Rob Campbell, Divisional Manager for Athabasca Catering, La Ronge, is Ambassador for the Food and Beverage Services industry.
• Sharon Hopkins, Continuing Education Consultant in the Business division and Community Services division at SIAST Woodland Campus in Prince Albert, received the Educator of the Year Award.

Does the dress code at your organization convey professionalism?

You’re likely very familiar with the attitudes, knowledge, experience, values, and beliefs that define your business culture.  Operational policies and procedures, like an employee dress code, are designed to support the way you want to be seen by customers.  

We know that up to 93% of communication is non-verbal, and it all starts with that first impression. Having a dress code that accurately reflects your organizational culture is an important step in getting a positive message to your customers.

For example, if you work at a zoo you may expect your employees to handle animals, clean cages, deliver tours, and interact with visitors. Deciding what is acceptable attire is tricky, because the clothing must be flexible enough to allow for cage cleaning but proper enough to lead a tour and professionally represent the organization. Customers appreciate being able to easily identify an employee by his/her clothing, which adds value to their positive visitor experience.

Hotels face very different challenges because there are many departments with specific operational requirements.  Generally, a hotel will have a specific uniform that is slightly altered to reflect the department; for example, housekeeping, front desk agent, and catering.  The one thing uniforms have in common is the brand--the style or logo that identifies them as a member of the hotel team.  Guests of the hotel trust that employees who wear the uniform adhere to a certain standard of professionalism.

Retail outlets usually require their employees to purchase and wear the store’s clothing in order to better promote the brand.  Some companies offer discounts to staff, but others don’t.  This can become quite expensive for employees, especially if they are only making minimum wage and working part-time.  When deciding on your store’s employee dress code, it is important to take these factors into consideration.  If the expectation is that every employee must be clad in your brand, consider the cost to the employee and adjust wages and incentives accordingly.

Your organization’s culture can only be defined by you, taking into account the nature of your business, customer base, geographical location, and corporate goals.  Employee dress code is an important part of your overall image and should be effectively communicated to your employees.

Does your organization’s dress code reflect your culture?