(Photo/ Tourism Saskatchewan official Facebook)

By Kenneth Cheung

FUTURE OF LOCAL TOURISM

Tourism Saskatchewan partners with online education to support students learning about industry

Aug 28, 2024 | 11:11 AM

Tourism Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) have reached a new agreement to support Grade 10-12 students learning about the province’s tourism industry through online programs.

“Saskatchewan is a great destination for visitors and a key part of supporting our growing economy is giving students the chance to make informed decisions about the many career opportunities that exist to them after high school all across our expansive province,” Minister Responsible for Sask DLC Jeremy Cockrill said in a release.

According to a media release, Tourism Saskatchewan is investing $40,000 to provide a work placement coordinator to support Tourism 20 and 30 students in accessing work placements and providing learning resources.

The goal of the project is to enable students to explore career options in their home communities and become part of the skilled workforce needed to support the industry. The course includes learning about quality customer service, event organization and community engagement.

Students in the 20 and 30-level courses will contribute 50 hours in both online theory classes and local business work placements. Students will learn more about major service industries in their area, such as hotels, museums, restaurants, events, tourist attractions, and more.

Cumberland House death

Discharge from sawed off shotgun killed Cumberland House woman

Sep 11, 2024

Drinking water advisory update

Hudson Bay PDWA remains in effect

Sep 11, 2024

Melfort Dutch Elm update

Contractor begins removal of trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease in Melfort

Sep 11, 2024

According to Tourism Saskatchewan, the course consists of three levels: 10, 20, and 30. The higher the level, the more in-depth the material. Level 10 covers the industries that make up tourism in Canada, level 20 focuses on tourism in Canada, and level 30 addresses global tourism.

“This partnership will have a tremendous impact on expanding our tourism labour force to keep pace with the record growth we are seeing in Saskatchewan’s tourism sector,” Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said in a release.

Harrison noted the government aims for a 50 per cent increase in annual tourism expenditures by 2030 and the new online tourism courses will help students learn about rewarding careers in the industry and support strong communities.

The release mentions local businesses interested in hosting student work placements can contact Sask DLC directly. Businesses will be matched with students based on nearby registrations and will undergo regular workplace safety inspections.

The classes are available to full-time online students and high school students who attend local schools in the province to complement their face-to-face education. Enrolment is now open.

Learn more at www.saskDLC.ca.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com